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.
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