Farenas stops Davis via TKO in title eliminator

Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds, Filipino pugilist Michael Farenas cemented his status as the next challenger for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) super featherweight championship with an eighth-round stoppage of previously unbeaten Mark Davis on Thursday morning, July 3 (Philippine time) at Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut.

Farenas, renowned for his aggressive style and powerful punches, forced a rough exchange early on with the technically sound Davis, who suffered a bloody gash in the first round.

As Davis never seemed to recover from the jagged opening salvo, the hard-hitting Pinoy southpaw seized the opportunity in the second round, where he stood toe-to-toe with the 27-year-old “Too Sharp” and was able to land his signature hook to the abdomen.

However, Davis managed to weather the storm as he scored numerous pocket shots in the third round and tried to dictate the tempo in the fourth frame with his long jabs.

The 5-foot-5 native of Gubat, Sorsogon shifted the momentum back to his side in the fifth round as he moved his body to find the right position to unleash his combinations to the head.

Farenas continued the onslaught in Round 6, where he severely aggravated Davis’ cut, prompting veteran referee Steve Smoger to call the ringside physician to check the gory wound that was ruled to have been caused by a punch.

After the doctor decided that Davis could go on for one more round, it did not stop Farenas to unload more blows in the seventh stanza on his opponent, who appeared to lose his steam.

Knowing that he was a punch away from defeating his Ohioan foe, “Hammer Fist” clobbered Davis with volumes of power shots in the eighth round, compelling the ring official to halt the action at the 58-second mark.

With the victory over Davis, Farenas improves his professional record to 39-4-4 with 31 knockouts and is now entitled to face the winner of the IBF 130-pound championship clash between current titleholder Argenis Mendez and Rances Barthelemy on July 10.

On the other hand, Davis tastes his first loss in his prizefighting career and downgrades his win-loss card to 18-1, 5 KO. – Rappler.com