REDEMPTION ROAD
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 13 Aug 2007
Gerry Penalosa proved me wrong. I thought his fight with Daniel Ponce de Leon would be his last hurrah.
The 35-year-old Penalosa (52-6-2, 35 KOs) shockingly dethroned the 25 year old WBO bantamweight titlist Jhonny Gonz?lez (34-6, 29 KOs) of Mexico in the seventh round.
Yes, he is thirty five. Ten years and six months ago he won his first world title ? the WBC superflyweight crown. He may be old, but he is not dead.
I thought Gonzales style and reach would make a predictable repeat of Gerry?s loses to In Joo Cho and Masamori Tokuyama. I am glad I was wrong. It was vintage Gerry, as he ducked under an overhand right, fired a picture perfect counter left to the liver. Gonz?lez first took a few steps backward, then fell like a sack of potatoes, making no attempt to beat the 10-count.
The best technical boxer and best counter puncher in Philippine boxing history showed us that we should still describe his skills in the present tense. Gerry was reportedly trailing on two judges scorecards. As the referee counted Gonzales out,
Penalosa raised his arms and tears, triumphant once again. An entire nation basked in his victory.
Z Gorres was not supposed to fight. There were the disturbing reports of a retinal tear and being substituted on the World Cup team. But thanks to medical science and to Gorres? courage, he gave another victory to the Philippine team.
Six months after a controversial loss in his attempt to wrest the WBO superflyweight title, Gorres won the International Boxing Federation Intercontinental junior-bantamweight title with a technical knockout at 2:15 of the eighth round against Mexico's former junior-flyweight champion Eric Ort?z (26-7-1, 17 KOs).
Z showed that he too can operate like a surgeon as he inflicted a gash over Ortiz? left eye.
The Dream lives on with more titles to come. Michael Domingo, AJ Banal and Diosdado Gabi also emerged triumphant. Winning five out of six against Mexico took the sting out of Rey Bautista?s shocking loss. Both Gabi and Domingo have also tasted
disappointing losses in world title attempts and have redeemed themselves in this high profile fight card.
It is indeed a time for flag waving. For us Filipinos living outside our country, thank you for making us proud.
Top photo caption: Gerry Penalosa of the Philippines (L) raises his hands as the referee waves his hands to signal the end of the contest after Jhonny Gonzales of Mexico failed to beat the count. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Manny motors to Vegas
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 14 Jul 2025Bakbakan sa Elorde on July 19
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 14 Jul 2025Ringside, Still: Remembering Chino Trinidad
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sun, 13 Jul 2025Hamzah Sheeraz Demolishes Edgar Berlanga in Stunner, Becomes Mandatory Challenger to Canelo Alvarez
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 13 Jul 2025Shakur Stevenson Masterfully Tames William Zepeda to Retain WBC Lightweight Crown
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 13 Jul 2025JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Score KO Wins in Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Sun, 13 Jul 2025Yanon is PBF flyweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 13 Jul 2025Taylor vs. Serrano Trilogy: Can Amanda Get The Nod?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 12 Jul 2025BERLANGA-SHEERAZ, STEVENSON-CEPEDA, MORELL-KHATAEV MAKE WEIGHT IN NEW YORK
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 12 Jul 2025Johnny Spell Takes on Chancellor Batttenberg on Saturday, July 19th at the Hollywood Casino at the Meadows in Washington, PA
Sat, 12 Jul 2025JV Tuazon, Ador Torres, Lemuel De Barbo, Jomar Fajardo Make Weight for Brico Santig's Highland Show in Thailand
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 11 Jul 2025Philippine Under-12 Girls Team Shines Bright, Clinches Multiple Medals at 23rd ASEAN+ Age Group Chess Championships in Penang
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 11 Jul 2025Kenneth “Llover Boy” Takes on “El Nica” Concepcion Aug 17 on Gerry Peñalosa’s Show @ the Winford Resort and Casino Manila (Analysis)
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 11 Jul 2025Undefeated junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez won’t be Boxing’s best kept secret in 2026
Fri, 11 Jul 2025Undefeated Gabriela Tellez Returns July 18 at “Night of Champions” Live on DAZN
Fri, 11 Jul 2025