Pe?alosa: Caballero can be world champion again
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 15 Oct 2011
Panama's Celestino Caballero is about to challenge tough WBA featherweight world champion Jonathan Barrios at Barrio's home country of Argentina and Filipino legendary 2-time world champion Gerry Pe?alosa sees Celestino Caballero winning.
"My friend Celestino Caballero has a good chance to become a world champion again. Because Caballero has a good height, much fight experienced in his head and bravery in his heart. I like Pelenchin Caballero to win tomorrow. Good luck Celestino," said Pe?alosa from his home in Manila, Philippines.
Pe?alosa and Caballero met years ago in the US and as there were talks for both warriors to meet inside the ring. Their clash never materialized, but Caballero became a huge admirer of Gerry Pe?alosas's fight style and technique.
Thats why there was such a friendly mood when Pe?alosa and Caballero met again at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas last May.
The former world champions from the Philippines and Panama talked about things in the world boxing and share thoughts on the then coming Pacquiao-Mosley fight.
Both friends were right to anticipate that Manny Pacquiao would have no problem in beating Shane Mosley.
The legendary "Fearless" Gerry Pe?alosa shared with Caballero that he retired from boxing as a fighter, but he is happy enjoying his beautiful family and kids while promoting fights for his company GerryPens Promotions.
"I am done as a fighter, but I wish good luck to you in your coming title fight, Celestino. You can be world champion again. Use your good height as an advantage," advised Gerry who was accompanied of his gorgeous wife Mrs. Goody Pe?alosa.
To which Caballero replied "it's always a pleasure to share time with Mr. Pe?alosa. I am happy that we never had to fight because you are my friend," said the Panamanian fighter.
Pe?alosa and Caballero share one common opponent: Mexican slugger Daniel Ponce de Leon.
Gerry went on toe-to-toe war with de Leon and lost a close 12-rounds decision. Some analysts saw Penalosa wining that fight. Caballero defeated the then unbeaten Ponce de Leon by unanimous desicion in 12 rounds in California.
"Pelenchin" Caballero is a former unified super bantamweight WBA and IBF world champion who vacated his super bantam (122 lbs) title to campaign in the featherweight (126) division.
Caballero goals as featherweight are to claim the world title so as to battle Puertorrican star Juan Manuel Lopez or Cuban sensation Yuriorkis Gamboa.
Last year the handlers of "Juanma" Lopez never accepted Caballero's challenge. Instead, the popular boricua fought Orlando Salido of Mexico.
The 35-year-old Caballero still has the spark to go to war with the best featherweights in the world, including Juanma Lopez. "Juama is a great fighter, I'd fight him anytime" said Caballero.
In order to fight Lopez, Gamboa or any other top featherweight in the world, Caballero first has to solve the no easy task to defeat current champion dangerous Argentine Jonathan Barros (33-1-1, 18KO's).
During the weight in ceremony today in Buenos Aires, Caballero weighted 126 lbs while champion Jonathan Barros registered 125 1/2 lbs.
Their WBA world featherweight title fight will be tomorrow at 8am (Manila time) at the legendary Estadio Luna Park in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Photo: Celestino Caballero (L) poses with Gerry Penalosa at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas. Photo by Carlos Costa.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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