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:
UNDEFEATED 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 2025FIDE Rated Chess Tournament Pasig Police Board Patrol Checkpoint Challenge
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025MANNY PACQUIAO VS. FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. ONCE AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 07 Nov 2025