By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Former two-division world champion Gerry Penalosa (54-7-2, 36 ko'S)  says he is ready to face WBA bantamweight interim champion Fernando Montiel (39-2-2, 29 ko'S) in a fight scheduled for December 19 in Cancun,  Mexico.

WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel had directed Montiel to face Penalosa and former world champion Eric Morel to take on world-rated Z “The Dream” Gorres in a title eliminator with the winners to clash next year.

Penalosa said “although its not yet final it looks like the fight will push through.” The former super flyweight and bantamweight champion who was promised a title shot by Valcarcel after a gallant stand against super bantamweight champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez in Puerto Rico last April 25 said he has been training “because when I am in the gym I am happy so anytime, even tomorrow, I am ready to fight.”

While praising Montiel as a good fighter who otherwise would not have been a champion, Penalosa said it is important for him “to train hard even though  I have confidence in myself.”

Penalosa noted that he has had time to train for the fight at his gym at the Mandaluyong Mall in Metro-Manila and would leave for Los Angeles to continue training at the Wild Card gym of Freddie Roach on November 2.

He noted that the style of Montiel was “suited to me” and expressed confidence he would win.