By Danrex Joseph V. Tapdasan

Michael Fareñas (32-3-3, 26 KOs), a protégé of 2-division world champion “Fearless” Gerry Peñalosa, will try to win the Philippine Championship in the 126-lbs. division on September 24, planned to be staged in the Cebu province at a venue to be determined.

Fareñas will have his hands full in winning the Philippine diadem as the defending champion, Edgar Gabejan (22-24-4, 6 KOs) of the Jaro Boxing Gym is determined to hold on to his newly-acquired title. Gabejan won the championship via a close split decision against former featherweight champion, Vinvin Rufino (29-14-3, 13 KOs) last June 18 held at Binangonan, Rizal.

The Philippine featherweight championship was vacant when Gabejan fought Rufino. Earlier, Rufino was stripped of this same title because of his failure to defend his title for more than 1 year as his latest defense was way back March 25, 2010 beating Adones Aguelo. Under the June 2011 Philippine (GAB) ratings, Fareñas was the No. 1 contender so he had the opportunity to fight for the vacant 126-lbs. title. However, he agreed to step aside and allowed the 2 available contenders at that time (Gabejan and Rufino) to fight for the vacant title with the condition that the winner will be mandated to fight him within 90 days.

This 12-round championship match was confirmed by Peñalosa himself in a telephone conversation with Dr. Nasser Cruz, Boxing Chief of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) last tuesday, August 9 around 4 p.m. The said call was initiated by Dr. Cruz while the monthly meeting of the GAB Ratings Committee was going on as part of the agenda of said meeting. This writer was present during the meeting as a member of the GAB Ratings Committee.

In his latest fight last July 16, Fareñas won against Fernando Beltran, Jr. at Honolulu, Hawaii.

The Fareñas vs. Gabejan contest will serve as one of the supporting main events in the next offering of Gerrypens Promotions featuring the “Dugong Kampeon” Dodie Boy Peñalosa Jr. (6-0, 6 KOs)

Giant TV Network GMA 7 will telecast this September 24 promotion the following day at 10 a.m. as the next edition of the station’s boxing program entitled “LABAN NG LAHI” hosted by highly respected Filipino sports journalist Chino Trinidad.

(The writer is a lawyer by profession, a Professional Boxing Referee and Judge, and a member of the GAB Ratings Committee)