Matapos mabigyan ng pagkakataon si Aston Palicte na lalaban para sa Roy Jones Jr. Promotions, kinuha naman ng pamosong DeGuardia’s Star Boxing sina two-time world title challenger Michael “Hammer Fist” Farenas at Marc “El Gwapo” Pagcaliwangan para magkampanya sa United States sa layuning mapalaban sa world title bout sa 2017.

Sa ilalim ng bagong manedyer na sina Germaine Gillies at Bill Halkias, nakatakdang sumagupa ang dalawang Pilipino sa unang bahagi ng 2017 pero tiyak na mas mabilis makababalik sa world ranking si Farenas na may kartadang 41-5-4, kabilang ang 33 knockout.

Unang lumaban si Farenas sa world title bout nang hamunin si dating WBA junior lightweight champion Takashi Uchiyama sa sagupaang ginanap sa Saitama, Japan noong 2012 pero nauwi sa 3rd round technical draw ang laban nang pumutok ang kilay ng Hapones.

Nasundan ito ng pagkasa niya sa kinatatakutang si dating WBA at IBF featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa noong Disyembre 8, 2012 sa undercard ng laban nina eight-division world titlist Manny Pacquiao at Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez sa Las Vegas, Nevada pero natalo siya sa puntos kahit napabagsak ang Cuban na natamo ang bakanteng interim WBA featherweight crown.

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I’m very pleased to be fighting under the Star Boxing banner,” sabi ni Farenas sa Philboxing.com habang nagsasanay sa Wildcard Gym ni Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach sa Hollywood, California. “I want to thank my co-managers, Bill and Germaine, for believing in me. I know I have a lot of fight left in me and I know that I’m fighting at lightweight (135 lbs.). I’m a stronger fighter today and I’m looking forward to a new beginning with my new team in place.”

Lahing Pilipino si Pagcaliwangan bagamat isinilang sa Ontario, Canada kung saan una siyang lumaban bilang super-bantamweight at may perpektong rekord na 9-0-1.

“With all my fights, having been fought in Canada, I’m really looking forward to making my USA debut with Star Boxing,” ani Pagcaliwangan.

“I have a solid management team now so I know I’ll have all the proper support to make my march toward a world title.

“SMG is very proud to have two hard hitters, in Farenas and Pagcaliwangan, join our team,” sabi naman Halkias. “Both fighters possess the power, speed and skills to become world champions.” (Gilbert Espeña)