By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa says his protégé Michael Farenas will fight undefeated Jose “Sniper” Pedraza for the IBF super featherweight No.1 ranking which will put the winner in line for a mandatory title shot.

Penalosa told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard/Viva Sports that IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker had informed him after Diego Magdaleno pulled out of the Sept. 16 purse bid for a Farenas fight - and that Farenas, the hard-hitting southpaw, would have to fight the 25 year old Puerto Rican Pedroza who has an impressive record of 18-0 with 12 knockouts and is ranked  No. 6 by the IBF.

Pedraza is the reigning International Boxing Organization champion after he won the title by a twelve round unanimous decision over Alberto Garza last March 22 and successfully defended the title with a rousing 6th round stoppage of Juan Carlos Martinez who was reportedly outclassed on ESPN Friday Night Fights last August 15 in a scheduled ten round bout.

In a post fight interview, Pedraza said he wanted to “let the whole boxing world know that I am for real. I am ready to fight any of the champions in my weight class. I know I have the talent to bring a world title back to my people of Puerto Rico.”

But before Pedraza can earn a world title shot he has to get past the tough Farenas who is himself aching for a crack at the world title and  has a record of 39-4-4 with 31 knockouts.

Farenas is coming off an 8th round TKO victory over previously unbeaten American Mark ”Too Sharp”  Davis who was battered  by Farenas before  referee Steve Smoger called a halt at :59 seconds of the eighth round at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Connecticut last July 2.