LAS VEGAS—Michael Farenas was a big hit while Diosdado Gabi was a big flop in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez rematch Saturday at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.
Living up to his reputation as a power puncher, Farenas stopped Mexican Baudel Cardenas in 2 minutes and 46 seconds of the third round.
But the Filipinos’ jubilation turned into groans of dismay when the off-form Gabi was knocked out by Mexican Abner Mares in the second round of their showdown for the North American Boxing Association bantamweight crown.
After dropping Cardenas twice in the second round, Farenas landed a vicious low blow that sent Cardenas grimacing in pain. The referee gave him five minutes to recover but the Mexican wasn’t able to continue, giving Farenas his 20th victory, 18 by knockouts, against two losses and two draws.
Cardenas dropped to 17-13-2 with 6 KOs.
Freddie Roach, in an interview with MaxBoxing’s Doug Fischer and Steve Kim, said Farenas— who is being managed by world champion Gerry Peñalosa—“has the potential to go all the way (win the world championship).”
Gabi, who had to drastically shed six pounds in six days to make the weight limit, was staggered near the end of the first round by Mares, who raised his record to 16-0 with 10 knockouts.
In the next round, Mares put away Gabi with a barrage of punches.
“He caught me with a clean shot,” said Gabi, referring to the right straight that sent him wobbling on his feet. “I’m okay, I’ll return to the gym soon.”
The 28-year-old Gabi, a native of Davao City, fell to 30-4-1 with 22 knockouts.
Mares, who trained with Juan Manuel Marquez in the mountains of Toluca, had an outstanding amateur career. He was the bantamweight gold medalist in the under-17 world championships and the Central American Games in 2002, before settling for the silver medal in the same division in the 2003 Pan American Games in Santo Domingo.
At the 2004 junior world championships, he again snared the silver medal, paving the way for his inclusion to Mexico’s national team in the 2004 Olympics.
