PENALOSA WELCOMES MONTIEL SHOWDOWN
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 01 Oct 2009
Former WBO bantam king Gerry Penalosa has expressed interest in a proposed showdown with current titleholder Fernando Montiel of Mexico in a fight set for December 19 in Cancun, Mexico.
Penalosa, in an interview with this writer, expressed surprise albeit thankful to WBO president Paco Valcarcel for ruling that a fight against Montiel be made following several postponements of the latter's fight against mandatory challenger Erik Morel.
"I'm ready to face Montiel. Me and him are meant for each other to fight. We're about the same size. Thanks to the WBO for this development," Penalosa said the other day.
Earlier, WBO prexy Valcarcel announced that Morel will now face Filipino Z Gorres in an interim bout on November 14 underneath the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto superbout at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Penalosa, meanwhile, will have to face Montiel in December, with the winner of the two bouts colliding next year to determine one regular WBO bantam champion.
"It is in the WBO's interest for there to be only one [WBO] champion in each division," Valcarcel was quoted as telling ESTO.
Penalosa is coming off a tenth-round defeat at the hands of the bigger WBO superbantam champion Juan Manuel Lopez this April in Puerto Rico.
Montiel, meanwhile, is coming off a controversial third-round technical draw with compatriot Alejandro Valdez in Nayarit, Mexico. Valdez was initially declared a TKO winner over Montiel, only to be told later the fight outcome had been reversed to a technical draw.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 16 Dec 2025GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
Tue, 16 Dec 2025TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
Tue, 16 Dec 2025JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
Tue, 16 Dec 2025Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
Tue, 16 Dec 2025INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 15 Dec 2025Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
Mon, 15 Dec 2025NOEL MIKAELIAN DETHRONES BADOU JACK TO BECOME THE NEW WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 14 Dec 2025FM Alekhine Nouri tops Kamatyas chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 14 Dec 2025Dante Kirkman Dominates DePriest Johnson in Unanimous Victory at Fight Club OC
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Bantam and Intermediate Divisions Crowned on Day Five of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Murat Gassiev Brutally Knocks Out Kubrat Pulev in Dubai
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 13 Dec 2025