Farenas to take on former Pacquiao foe on March 21

After his supposed opponent suddenly pulled out of the fight Michael Farenas (37-4-4, 29 knockouts) will have to alter his gameplan quickly as he now takes on Hector Velazquez (56-20-3, 38 KOs), a former opponent of eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao.

Farenas was originally scheduled to fight Mexican Michael Zamudio (26-3-1, 14 KOs) on March 14 for the main event of MAG PACMAN Boxing's second fight card. However, Zamudio was scratched days away from the fight as his manager and trainer had an apparent miscommunication regarding the fight with against Farenas.

Luckily for promoters Pacquiao, Gerry Penalosa, and Anson Tiu-Co, a late replacement was tabbed and he is raring to give Farenas a tough fight.

Velazquez last fought in January, when he scored an eight-round decision victory over Oscar Arenas. In 2013, the 39-year-old Mexican veteran fought a whopping five times. In boxing, it is said that punching power is the last attribute to leave a fighter. Velazquez is living proof that this theory has some truth to it as he managed a 3-2 win-loss record last year, winning the three fights by knockout and losing the other two by decision.

The Mexican fought Pacquiao back in 2005. It was the fight card that also featured Erik Morales versus Zahir Raheem. Velazquez lost to Pacquiao vie technical knockout in the sixth round. However, he was able to gain some semblance of revenge as he defeated Manny’s younger brother Bobby Pacquiao by disqualification a year later, after Bobby repeatedly performed too many low blows.

Velazquez went on to fight some of the toughest challengers in the featherweight, super featherweight, and lightweight divisions, taking on guys such as the late Edwin Valero, Jorge Linares, Mario Santiago, and Thomas Dulorme.

Farenas on the other hand is in the best period of his career, after losing by decision to Yuriorkis Gamboa in the undercard of the fourth fight between Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez. Since then, Farenas has knocked out Gerardo Zayas, Kosol Sor Vorapin, and Jesus Rios in a total of five rounds.

Penalosa, the primary handler of Farenas, is banking on another win for his protégé as they await a shot against reigning WBO super featherweight champion Mikey Garcia.

In the undercard, Dave Penalosa (7-0-0, 5 KOs) will be taking on Alem Robles (6-4-2, 2 KOs), a Mexican warrior who gave his older brother Dodie Boy Jr. the toughest fight of his entire career last December.

The card will be held on March 21 at the FilOil Flying V Arena in San Juan City and will be shown on GMA News TV. - AMD, GMA News