MEXICANS REFUSE TO SPAR AGAINST BAUTISTA, PE?ALOSA
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 25 Jul 2007
Reports coming out of the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles indicate that renowned trainer Freddie Roach has been forced to import Russian sparmates for Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista and Gerry Pe?alosa as they prepare for their respective August 11 assignments in the two world title bouts at the 'World Cup' of boxing in Sacramento.
Bautista and the rest of the ALA Boy jogged yesterday on flat terrain at the La Brea area, while Pe?alosa and Filipino Diosdado Gabi did their morning workout at a park near the apartment of superstar Manny Pacquiao.
Bautista will challenge WBO superbantam king Daniel Ponce De Leon, while Penalosa goes up against WBO bantam ruler Jhonny Gonzalez in what will most likely be his last fight.
The ALA Boys then took their egg and fruit breakfast prepared for them by trainers Edito Villamor and Jeremiah Quijano.
At the Wild Card Gym, Pe?alosa sparred against Bautista for four rounds, before Bautista did another four rounds against a talented Russian fighter.
Pe?alosa also did another four rounds against lightweight Ricky Quiles, while Gabi sparred with RP champ Michael Domingo.
"These boys used to spar with Mexicans, but apparently the Latinos are no longer interested. So Freddie has been left with no option but to bring in these Russians," said a source from Wild Card Gym.
The same source said Bautista and Pe?alosa have been eating their usual diets, as they both weigh just about perfect. Bautista is now down to 128.5 lbs yesterday morning, while Pe?alosa was at 126 lbs.
"I don't really see any weight problems among the boys," said another source, Team Pacquiao physical therapist Jeff De Guzman. "Maganda ang moisture ng pangangatawan at masaya ang tropa na parang nasa pilipinas lang sila," De Guzman added.
"The boys are also in high spirit because their manager Michael Aldeguer and Sam Gello-ani are always in touch with them," another source said.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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