PENALOSA SET TO DEFEND SEPT. 20!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 17 Jul 2008
World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight king Gerry Penalosa is set to defend his title on September 20 possibly against Nestor Rocha at the world-class air-conditioned facility Mindanao Civic Center in Tubod, Lanao Del Norte.
Promoter Sammy Gello-ani, who is working with promoter Bong Yap for this event, says that this will be the perfect event to showcase Lanao del Norte as a peaceful province that has the capacity to hold an event of this magnitude.
Congressman Bobby Dimaporo and Governor Khalid Dimaporo have already expressed their support to this gigantic event, which is expected to be one of the biggest in the history of Mindanao.
Golden Boy Promotions, which promotes the southpaw Penalosa, has reportedly expressed its support to the fight, said a source.
GBP vice-president Eric Gomez, who will arrive in Cebu on July 23 to be at special ringside for the AJ Banal-Rafael Concepcion WBA tussle, will most likely be briefed by Gello-ani and Yap regarding the planned mega-event.
WBO Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo, who is currently in Cebu to supervise this Saturday's "Collision at the Coliseum," said that the September 20 event is looking good, and all indications point to a successful staging.
Gello-ani is set to hold a press conference in Cebu this Saturday to officially announce the fight, with Penalosa in attendance. Giant network ABS-CBN, set to air the fight, already announced the upcoming event yesterday, said Cebu City Councilor Sylvan 'Jack' Jakosalem, who this early has already expressed interest to watch the card at ringside.
Top photo: Lanao Del Norte Representative Bobby Dimaporo (2nd from left) poses with (l-r) Boy Sanchez, promoter Sammy Gello-ani and promoter Bong Yap.
A "fight poster" shows superstar Manny Pacquiao against recent birthday boy promoter Bong Yap, who turned 35 recently.
Tentatively slated to see action in the undercard is Penalosa's protege Michael Farenas, who wants to challenge the winner of the mammoth July 27 Terdsak Jandaeng-Erik Canoy battle in Zamboanga.
Also tabbed to see action is the unbeaten Ciso Morales, as well as Black Scorpion Stable's Donriel Marcos.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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