By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Former WBC super flyweight champion Gerry Penalosa has told his wife Goody, in an overseas telephone conversation to “fasten her seat belt” as he prepares to take on super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in a fight where most experts believe the odds are stacked against the 34 year old southpaw.
Goody Penalosa told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that she was “very nervous” because Ponce De Leon is bigger than Gerry and was also known to be a strong puncher but added that Gerry told her not to worry and to just prepare for what could be a bumpy ride.
However, the stylish former world champion was confident he could handle the 122 pound champion and said that celebrated trainer Freddie Roach was “concentrating on preparing him” for the March 17 title fight on the undercard of the super featherweight championship showdown between champion Marco Antonio Barrera and featherweight king Juan Manuel Marquez.
Penalosa apologized for setting aside the advice of many of his trusted friends in boxing and taking the fight against Ponce De Leon indicating he couldn’t let the opportunity slip by since he was getting on in years. Ms. Penalosa said her husband had been doing his roadwork diligently along with flyweight Diosdado Gabi who is managed by Roach. She said the fighters live in the same house.
Ms. Penalosa said Gerry signed a contract with Golden Boy Promotions two days ago. The southpaw has a record of 51-5-2 with 34 knockouts while Ponce De Leon has a record of 30-1 with 28 knockouts.