PENALOSA SHUTS HIMSELF OFF FROM OUTSIDE WORLD TO FOCUS ON SATURDAY'S FIGHT
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 25 Apr 2009
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- To each his own, as Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao apparently loves bedlam and mayhem on the run up of his big fights, two-time world champion Gerry Penalosa shuts himself off from the outside world to focus on the biggest fight of his distinguished career.
Penalosa will take on undefeated rising star Juan Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez here tomorrow night in what could be a defining moment for both boxers. And Penalosa is taking no chances to be distracted from his tunnel vision prior to the fight.
"I don't answer any phone calls or texts," Penalosa told PhilBoxing.com as he was relaxing from his room at the Holiday Inn Hotel here. "My media friends from Philippines and the U.S. kept on calling and texting me and I haven't read Philboxing for a while now. I don't want to hear other people's opinions. I just want the pressure off my back."
Other than the official fight activities including this afternoon's weighin, Penalosa just kept to himself and his family where they hold regular prayers every night since they arrived last Monday in this popular resort country.
Penalosa's wife Goody, strolls her kids to the fine-sand beaches of Isla Verde in the afternoons. "I keep my mind away from boxing and that's what I want to do with the kids." Goody said. "I want them to relax and forget about boxing. But truth to tell I can hardly sleep at night now that the fight is very near."
Goody also said she and Penalosa hardly talk about boxing. "I just give him what he needs, foods, clothes, etc. but we don't talk about the fight at all."
Notes ... A group of about 10 Filipinos who work in a telecom company in Puerto Rico and have been staying here for a while including husband and wife Roland and Jed Manayon visited Penalosa in his hotel the other night and promised to be at the fight for a show of support. The wives of the telecom employees also promised Penalosa to cook Filipino foods that the boxer sorely missed.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SPORTS SHORTS 285: AMIR KHAN ACCEPTS OFFER FOR AN EXHIBITION MATCH WITH MANNY PACQUIAO
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 25 Nov 2024FOGOUM, TOSHIHIKO, KIM, RATTAWUT, RUF, CHUTINAN IN ACTION IN HIGHLAND’S EXCITING “SHOWDOWN” NOV 28 AT SPACEPLUS IN BANGKOK, THAILAND
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Gil Robiego Co Elected New APPBRO President for 2025-2027
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Garma wins, climbs to 8th place
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Davao futsal scores 1st win
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 25 Nov 2024Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat is the new FIDE World Senior 65 over category Rapid Champion
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Thunderdome 48 - Jude Grant vs Fano Kori
Sun, 24 Nov 2024World Boxing backs plan to create a new Confederation in Asia
Sun, 24 Nov 2024The message is clear – Asian Boxing Confederation remains united with the IBA
Sun, 24 Nov 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA FOUNDATION HOSTS 25TH ANNUAL TURKEY GIVEAWAY FOR EAST LOS ANGELES COMMUNITY
Sun, 24 Nov 2024Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024