By Salven L. Lagumbay

 

Former World Boxing Council superfly king Gerry Penalosa, now trained by Buddy McGirt in Orlando, Florida, is slated to see action on May 27 against former IBF  bantam challenger Reynaldo "El Doberman" Hurtado possibly in Pompano, Florida.

 

Reports from Florida have indicated that the 32-year-old southpaw, who will be promoted by Murad Muhammad, is currently undergoing extensive training under McGirt and is in "the best possible shape" for his upcoming fight. The Filipino fighter has been training under McGirt for the last five months, and is raring to show that his skills and confidence level are back.

 

Penalosa, who said he will return to the Philippines right after the fight, was scheduled to see action in the undercard of the classic Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo war two weeks ago, but for unknown reasons, was scrapped from the card.

 

Dodie Boy Penalosa, the former two-division world champ who trains his brother in the Philippines, had earlier informed that the fight has been moved to July, but apparently Murad Muhammad was able to snag an earlier date for his ward.

 

Penalosa (48-5-2, 33 KO's) who currently holds the fringe World Boxing Foundation 115-lb crown, will stake his reputation against Hurtado, a native of Cartagena, Colombia, who boasts of a 36-6-1 win-loss-draw record with 27 KO's.

 

"Gerry will get the much-needed test against Hurtado to see if he still has what it takes to win a world crown," said the source, who requested anonymity. Penalosa has been calling out IBF bantamweight champ Rafael Marquez.