By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Golden Boy Promotions vice president and international matchmaker Eric Gomez says they are “working out the final details” for the ambitious project with plans for the Philippines-Mexico seven fight card to take place in Cebu City on March 4.
There were some concerns over the refusal of bantamweight champion Johnny Gonzales who said he was wary of a hometown decision in a battle with former WBC super flyweight champion Gerry Penalosa and since he was the champion he couldn’t be forced to fight in the Philippines. Super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon on the other hand also balked at fighting emerging ring sensation Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista in the Philippines.
However, Gomez expressed confidence these issues will be settled soon. Gomez said Ponce De Leon was “obviously looking for more money” to go to the Philippines to defend his title. Gomez indicated the champion was willing but there were “a few little issues we have to resolve with him.” Gomez said Ponce De Leon knows and understands that Bautista “is going to wind up as his mandatory challenger” and Ponce De Leon’s manager had agreed to the fight.
Gomez recalled that the WBO super bantamweight champion had said he would be “willing to go and will fight anybody, anywhere.” Gomez believes its “just a matter of a few minor details we have to work out before we get it done.”.
In the case of super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel who lost in the purse bid and has to defend against mandatory challenger Z “The Dream” Gorres said Montiel indicated that he was “willing to go anywhere to defend his title.” The champion had earlier claimed he was not concerned about a hometown decision because he would knock out Gorres.
Gomez said that once everything was worked out Golden Boy Promotions Oscar De La Hoya would visit the Philippines to promote the World Cup.
