By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Gerry Penalosa says he has no fear in facing the bigger and stronger WBO super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in a March 17 title fight that may well be the defining moment in his illustrious ring career.
Penalosa who wound up sparring with twelve furious rounds against Mexican super bantamweight Jorge Diaz and Nicaraguan Julio Gamboa looked in awesome shape and even Mexican journalist Ramiro Gonzalez who covered the Golden Boy Promotions press conference in Los Angeles agreed that the former world super flyweight champion “looked in tremendous physical shape.”
Ponce De Leon who has an awesome record of 28 knockouts in 30 wins with only one loss said “I feel strong at this weight and I believe I will win by a knockout.” Ponce De Leon conceded that Penalosa ”had good technique but was too small and the fight wont last the distance.”
Penalosa wasn’t awed by the boasts of the champion. The 34 old southpaw responded by saying “He (Ponce De Leon) is good but ordinary. He does not intimidate me..”
Penalosa who is waiting for his wife Goody and there two sons to arrive in Los Angeles before motoring to Las Vegas along with super flyweight Diosdado Gabi who battles Oscar Andrade, who lost a twelve round decision to Nonito Donaire last October 7 and also dropped a unanimous decision to Penalosa on May 24, 2002. Penalosa said he is “motivated to carry the title back to the Philippines. I have the technique and a great desire to once more be a world champion.”
Golden Boy Promotions vice president Eric Gomez told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that Penalosa “wanted this fight” even though he had to move up in weight to get the title shot. The classy southpaw known for his ring savy ignored the advice of well-meaning friends and boxing patrons such as Tony Aldeguer who nurtured his career at the beginning, former WBC secretary general Rudy Salud and even this reporter who had covered several of his fights, not to tangle with Ponce De Leon who was not only big and had a powerful punch but was also very aggressive.
Penalosa apologized for refusing to heed the advice and said he had seen the champion in action and was confident he could out-smart him and win.
