PE?ALOSA LEAVES FOR THE U.S.
By Dr. Allan Recto
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 11 Mar 2009
Laredo, Texas -- WBO world bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa boarded Philippine Airlines PR 102 departing Manila at 10 PM Tuesday arriving Los Angeles (LAX) Tom Bradley International Terminal at 7:35 PM, also Tuesday, March 10th (L.A. time).
Gerry ?Fearless? Penalosa (54-6-2) 36 KO?s, one of the remaining Filipino title holders who is the current WBO bantamweight champion, is scheduled to see action in April 25, 2009 at the Ruben Rodriguez Coliseum in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The Filipino pugilist will be challenging WBO Junior featherweight champion Juan Manuel ?JuanMa? Lopez from Puerto Rico who remains undefeated (24-0) 22 KO?s. If it were up to Penalosa, JuanMa?s ?0? has got to go.
?I?m training hard. This is the most important fight of my career. I will continue to train at the Wild Card Gym in L.A. under the guidance of Coach Freddie after my return from the presscon in Puerto Rico this Saturday,? stated a determined Penalosa before it was announced thru the PA system to turn off all electronic devices in his plane.
In an overseas call to Goody Penalosa, the attractive wife of the Champ, she indicated that she has just dropped him off at the NAIA Airport. She said that Gerry Penalosa will fly to Puerto Rico the next day in time for a scheduled press conference. She added that Gov. Manny Pinol would not be going with him but his L.A. based manager William ?Billy? Keane will accompany him. Goody confirmed that she will follow to the U.S. in March 25th so that the whole ?Team Penalosa? will travel to Puerto Rico at least 10 days before the scheduled fight.
According to Penalosa?s manager, Billy Keane, it will be a great fight. ?I am confident that Gerry will win this one. He has the right style to beat Juan Manuel Lopez. It will be a difficult fight for Gerry but I?m sure he will win this fight,? expressed a positive Billy Keane when called upon by this writer this morning. The fight will be televised on HBO?s ?Boxing After Dark? edition and is co-promoted by Top Rank and PR Best Boxing where Juan Manuel Lopez is one of their rising stars.
The last time Penalosa was in the ring was Feb. 20th for a tune-up fight. He was seen chasing the Mexican opponent German Meraz who was dropped at the 2nd Rd then backpedaled all the way to the 12th round for survival. The fight was said to be a lack luster bout because the Mexican would not engage the Filipino champion. However, it earned Penalosa a unanimous decision win by a very wide margin.
This upcoming fight with Juan Manuel Lopez will be entirely different because of their styles. Penalosa is smart and has excellent defense, brilliant footwork and is a very good counter puncher. It is well known that he is one of the best technical fighters to come from the Philippines. He has never been knocked down in his entire boxing career. Meanwhile, JuanMa thinks he will be the first one to do this almost impossible feat. He wants to win convincingly. This will be an exciting match up between two great champions; one is a crafty veteran, ring savvy technician versus a young (southpaw) warrior who intelligently comes-forward and wants to score an early KO. For me, this has the makings of a ?classic bout? to be remembered in boxing history for a very long time.
Notes: Bernabe Concepcion who will be an undercard in the Pacquiao-Hatton fight at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas on May 2 versus WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano will also depart for the U.S. soon - most likely in March 12th - according to his manager Aljoe Jaro. He will likewise train with Manny Pacquiao and Gerry Penalosa at the Wild Card Gym in L.A.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dr. Allan Recto.
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