MANILA, Philippines – Four of the best Filipino boxers of the decade are set to see action in the ring next year, just 6 months after the highly successful “Pinoy Power 2” in Las Vegas, Nevada.
World Boxing Association (WBA) interim super flyweight champ Nonito Donaire, Jr. will defend his title against veteran Mexican fighter Gerson Guerrero in “Pinoy Power 3” on February 13.
The event, which features 4 Filipino boxers going against 4 Latino fighters, is also called “Latin Fury 13.” It will be held at the Hilton Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.
“Confident na confident ako kasi I have everybody in my corner and mentally prepared na ako, just physically I have to be there,” said Donaire.
According to Donaire, he began training last week and has done a few sparring sessions. He said he is working hard to get ready for his opponent, who is known to be a knockout artist.
Meantime, Donaire’s new trainer, Mexican Robert Garcia, was introduced during the “Pinoy Power 3” press conference in Las Vegas.
“I just come in to correct a few things, work on the strategy and go on from there. But he is a complete fighter there’s not much too change, just a little corrections that we’re gonna do,” noted Garcia.
Second chance
Meanwhile, No. 2 World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight Gerry Peñalosa was unable to attend the press conference.
His foe, Eric Morel of Puerto Rico, had a message for the Filipino veteran boxer: “It’s my time. I believe that he is gonna come to the ring well-prepared, extremely ready for the fight. But I’ll be very, very trained and very focused as well.”
Bohol native Ciso Morales is the third Filipino featured in “Pinoy Power 3.” Morales will clash with Fernando Montiel of Mexico.
Bernabe Concepcion will take on Puerto Rican Mario Santiago in a 10-round featherweight bout.
Top Rank Promotions head honcho Bob Arum hopes that Concepcion has learned his lesson from the “Pinoy Power 2” incident wherein he punched Steven Luevano even after the bell rang. The action led to the disqualification of Concepcion.
“Bernabe didn’t hear the bell and he hit Luevano after the bell and was disqualified. But now he has the opportunity to come back against Mario Santiago, a real good Puerto Rican fighter,” said Arum.
Helping Gorres
Donaire went on to say that he is ready to help fellow boxer ZC Oliveros “The Dream” Gorres with the money he will make in “Pinoy Power 3.”
Gorres, who suffered from subdural hematoma in his fight against Colombian Juan Melendez, was supposed to be part of the “Pinoy Power 3” fight card.
However, he went down in the 10th and final round after a Melendez punch caused a blood clot in his brain. Gorres still won by unanimous decision.
The Filipino fighter has recuperated from brain surgery and is not out of the intensive care unit (ICU). He is an intermediate unit at the UMC Hospital.
“Pinoy Power 3” will be aired on ABS-CBN. – With a report from Bev Llorente, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau
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