By Mark Vester

According to Filipino scribe Dennis Principe, current WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa has accepted the offer to move up in weight for a fight with the WBO's super bantamweight champ, Juan Manuel Lopez. The fight would take place on April 4 in Puerto Rico. HBO was said to be televising the card.

“They say I’m old and my days are numbered. Then we’ll see with this fight with Lopez. If he really is the next big thing of the sport, then give him a tough test by fighting me. I’m more than willing to travel to Puerto Rico and fight him in front of his hometown,” said Penalosa to Principe.

“I love challenges. If people get to watch all my losses it was because all those who beat me never really fought me. All they did was run. Against Lopez, I know he is a tough fighter and fights toe-to-toe but I guess he is still young. At this stage of our careers, I‘m capable of beating him."

If the fight gets finalized, the WBO will strip Penalosa of the title. That would leave Fernando Montiel (who is moving up) and Eric Morel (Penalosa' mandatory) to face off for the vacant belt.

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