Michael Fareñas of the Peñalosa Boxing Stable will take on Jesus Rios of Guasave, Mexico on Friday the 13th at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Metro Manila.
This match-up will serve as the main event of the fight card billed as “First Blood” which is presented by the combined efforts of boxing promoter and former two division world champion Gerry Peñalosa, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao and businessman-sportsman Anson Tiu Co.
The trio formed the company called MAG Pacman International Boxing Promotions and this card will be their inaugural offering.
Fareñas (36W-4L-4D, 28 KOs) stopped Gerardo Zayas of Mexico in one round last April and beat Thai Kosol Sor Vorapin by second round knockout last October in Makati City.
Rios (26W-4L-1D, 20 KOs) has won by TKO in his last two bouts against Oscar Olivas and Waldo Vela.
There will also be two more Filipino boxers facing Mexican foes in the undercard.
Dodie Boy Peñalosa Jr. (11-0, 11KOs) will try to keep his perfect record intact when he faces Alem Robles (6-3-2, 2KOs) of Los Mochis. Dodie Boy Jr’s last fight was in Macau last April where he survived a first round knockdown and stopped Nimithra Sithsaithong of Thailand in the third round.
WBC Youth Silver bantamweight titlist Richard “The Beast” Pumicpic (13W-5L-2D, 4 KOs) of Zamboanga del Norte will fight Luis Lugo (15-4-2, 11KOs) also from Los Mochis.