AGELESS and FEARLESS
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 08 Apr 2008
It was a mismatch. WBO Bantamweight titlist Gerry Penalosa?s knock out of Thai challenger Ratanachai Sor Vorapin was something to be expected. I was even surprised the fight lasted eight rounds. He knocked out the same Thai in six rounds almost eight years ago. If it wasn?t for Penalosa?s magnificent boxing skills the fight would have been totally boring.
But Gerry is still one of the leading practitioners of the sweet science. It is hard to believe he is 35 years old. I watch him because I know it may take a long while before we see another Filipino with his technical ability. I watch him because at his age he is racing against time. He is also racing for another crack at WBO superbantamweight titlist Daniel Ponce de Leon.
Gerry feels he won the first time. It was a difficult fight for him. De Leon?s size and power was difficult to overcome. Penalosa does have the skill and artistry to make his opponent miss by a few centimetres just by slightly tilting his head. Unfortunately fight judges don?t give points for defense. Just ask Z Gorres. Just ask Juan Manuel Marquez.
Gerry turned pro in 1989. His fight record is now 53 wins (with 36 KOs) 6 loses with 2 draws. He has never been knocked out. It takes a lot of guts to step into the ring again with one of boxing?s most feared punchers today. De Leon?s fight record of 34 wins (30 KOs) 1 loss and his shocking one round blowout of Rey Bautista last year speaks for itself. Gerry has shown he can survive the Mexican?s blows. He has shown he can make him miss and he can counterpunch effectively. But he will need to do more to grab the judges? attention if ever they meet again. De Leon has a scheduled fight this June against Juan Manuel Lopez.
The superbantamweight division does present Penalosa with a lot of name fighters and potential big money match-ups. Israel Vasquez and Rafael Marquez did engage recently in a brutal rubber match. If Penalosa decides to remain a bantamweight, the boxers ranked above him by Ring magazine - Hozumi Hasegawa, Veerapol Sahaprom, Wladimir Sidorenko and Silence Mbuza - are
not really big names in the U.S. market. Gerry was not a pay per view attraction when he was WBC 115 champ despite his awesome skills. He needs another big name fighter this time to attract the American audience. There is the much younger Abner Mares to think about but that fight is too far off and might never happen.
Considering the marketability of the Mexico vs. Philippines rivalry, a rematch with Ponce De Leon in the U.S. would be Gerry?s most workable option.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Additional Matchups for Saturday, February 28 Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
Fri, 30 Jan 2026SWERVE TV STRIKES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO EXPAND PREMIUM BOXING CONTENT
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Leuenbergers to join IRONMAN® 70.3 Davao
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Open Workout: Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou Prepare For Saturday's Unification Showdown in Puerto Rico
Thu, 29 Jan 2026Cabrera-Zapata Kicks Off All Star Boxing's 2026 Season
Thu, 29 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: Cash prizes, FIDE rating at stakes this Sunday
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 29 Jan 2026IBP Fun Run & Family Day on February 15
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 29 Jan 2026TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND SHAKUR STEVENSON FACE-OFF AT KNICKS GAME AS COUNTDOWN TO ‘THE RING 6’ ON SATURDAY BEGINS
Wed, 28 Jan 2026Davao to sponsor P500K in IRONMAN 70.3
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 28 Jan 2026JOSH KELLY SOUNDS WARNING TO WORLD TITLE RIVAL BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV AS HE TARGETS HISTORIC NORTH EAST HOMECOMING
Wed, 28 Jan 2026Gallegos and Alvarez Shine Bright with Knockout Wins at Fontainebleau Las Vegas
Wed, 28 Jan 2026Pedro Carrasco Remembered in Spain 25 Years After His Passing
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 28 Jan 2026Gensan Outdoor, Gensan Educator support MFPI 5th Mindanao Summit in Mt. Apo
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 28 Jan 2026Vitor vs Subkhankulov, Tapales vs Kalsynov in Double IBF Asia Title Fights in Moscow on Feb. 13
By Dong Secuya, Tue, 27 Jan 2026“It’s about owning my own journey” Jeanine Brown retuns for Title Clash March 13 – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 27 Jan 2026