ABS-CBN EYES PONCE DE LEON-PENALOSA REMATCH
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 06 Sep 2007
The giant Philippine broadcast network ABS-CBN is moving into boxing in a big way following a top-level decision to expand its coverage of sports and to start-up a sports channel on SkyCable.
Vice president for Sports, Peter Musgni said the network was eyeing a chance to stage a rematch between WBO super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon and newly crowned WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa sometime in January if possible.
Musgni was responding to a statement by Golden Boy Promotions international matchmaker Eric Gomez that there was a strong interest by the network in bankrolling the rematch which Penalosa himself has said he wanted after giving Ponce De Leon a boxing lesson in a losing cause last March.
Gomez had told ESPN’s Dan Rafael that Ponce De Leon who scored a stunning first round knockout of previously undefeated Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista would fight Reynaldo Lopez in a non-title fight on September 28 and was keen on making another title defense before the end of this year.
Gomez said they were planning to either feature the menacing super bantamweight on the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather-Ricky Hatton showdown on December 8 or to come to the Philippines for a rematch with Penalosa in late November or early December. Ponce De Leon had announced he wanted to settle the score with Penalosa since there were questions raised about his victory and was willing to defend his title in the Philippines provided the price was right.
Musgni told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today the network cannot stage the fight this year but would be ready to do so sometime in January.
In the meantime ABS-CBN has acquired the rights to several big title fights including Mayweather-Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez – Rocky Juarez and the heavyweight battle between Evander Holyfield and Russian Ibragimov.
The network has also launched its cable sports channel “Balls” which is currently telecasting the US Open tennis championships “live” as a prelude to the full-scale operation of channel 33 on SkyCable.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
NONITO DONAIRE HOPES TO BECOME TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Astrobio loses by TKO in 7th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025UNDEFEATED KNOCKOUT MONSTER VERGIL ORTIZ JR. DESTROYS ERICKSON LUBIN IN SECOND-ROUND
Sun, 09 Nov 2025Manny Pacquiao Arrives in LA to Oversee Son Jimuel's Highly Anticipated Pro Debut
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Robert Racasa Shines for the Philippines on First Day of World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 09 Nov 2025P20k for 42k winners in 3rd SDSPPO
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Weights Set for Tomorrow’s Sanman Boxing Show in General Santos City
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz vs. Erickson Lubin: Can Lubin Tip the Ortiz/Ennis Apple Cart?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Gibbons’ ‘Thrilla’ regrets
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Erickson Lubin Set for Explosive Showdown in Fort Worth
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Ring Officials Announced for Michael Hunter Vs Eli Frankham - York Hall, 5th December
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Baseball in the Sulaimán Family
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Shields signs $8 million multi year contract with Salita Promotions
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 08 Nov 2025A TIBUTE TO VICTOR CONTE
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Lhuillier Lauds RP Blu Boys’ Triumph in Japan Tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025