PENALOSA WANTS PONCE DE LEON
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 17 Aug 2007
Newly crowned WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa insists he wants a rematch with super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon who beat him the first time they met although trainer Freddie Roach believes the Filipino southpaw won that fight.
Ponce De Leon has expressed his willingness to come to the Philippines to fight Penalosa who in turn remarked he was prepared to take on Ponce De Leon even in Mexico.
Penalosa arrived from Los Angeles aboard an early morning Philippine Airlines flight along with his wife Goody, celebrated trainer Freddie Roach and Diosdado Gabi who won the opening bout in the Philippines-Mexico World Cup at the Arco Arena in Sacramento last Sunday (Manila Time).
When Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today suggested that he first defend his 118 pound title against a not too dangerous opponent, make some money and then take on Ponce De Leon, Penalosa replied, “I want Ponce De Leon.”
Roach said that since Penalosa appeared obsessed with getting back at Ponce De Leon he suggested that they “fight at a catch weight of 120 pounds.” Roach and Penalosa both agreed that the Mexican was “a strong fighter” but Roach was confident that Penalosa whom he described as “the best defensive fighter in the world can beat him.”
Roach praised Penalosa as ”technically, by the book, a great fighter and a great role model and someone people should watch because he is what boxing is all about.”
Penalosa said his change in tactic in the title fight where he was the aggressor and put pressure on WBO bantamweight champion Jhonny Gonzales from whom he won the title via a stunning seventh round knockout was what trainer Roach “wanted me to do.”
Roach said although he was not in Penalosa’s corner for the first meeting between Penalosa and Ponce De Leon they made the mistake of “letting him come to us and Gerry counter punched and landed the big shots but the judges gave Ponce De Leon credit for coming forward and I didn’t want that to happen again and have the judges steal the fight from Gerry. So Gerry backed this guy (Gonzales) and made him miss by going under punches and he was successful.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SHAW SENDS A MESSAGE IN HUNT FOR UK OPEN GLORY | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Thu, 08 May 2025WBO presents the Amanda Serrano Championships
Thu, 08 May 2025GM Antonio faces tough competition in ASEAN Seniors Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 08 May 2025Boxing: Entertainment Sport or Sport Entertainment?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 07 May 2025JIM LAMPLEY'S BOOK TOUR IS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK!
Wed, 07 May 2025CAPITO IGNITES TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Wed, 07 May 2025Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 06 May 2025Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
Tue, 06 May 2025The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
By Eric Armit, Tue, 06 May 2025Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Cardenas, Romero and Espinoza and Vows to Make Next Year's Cinco de Mayo Unforgettable, Highlighted by David Benavidez Facing the Winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev
Tue, 06 May 2025Saving the Best for Last: GSW Upstages Raw Rockets
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 06 May 2025Antonio, Bagamasbad face tough competition in Woman FIDE Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament on May 18
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 06 May 2025Andres “Savage” Cortes Finishes Strong Training Camp Ahead of Crucial May 10 Clash Against Salvador Jimenez at Pechanga Arena San Diego
Tue, 06 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS and ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT PRESENT HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT
Tue, 06 May 2025IBA embraces Bare Knuckle Boxing
Tue, 06 May 2025