By Ronnie Nathanielsz
IBF president Marian Muhammad praised WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa saying she was thrilled at his knockout sixth round victory to win the title from Johnny Gonzalez last August 11 in Sacramento.
In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, the IBF president said “that’s great. My very best wishes to him since I haven’t heard from him for a little while.” She said it was “a good thing” that he had a decent family life, was always “in pretty good shape” and had no vices.
Penalosa who is scheduled to leave for Los Angeles aboard a Philippine Airlines flight tonight along with Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao said he was looking forward to his scheduled March 2 title defense against former world champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin of Thailand who lost the WBO crown to Gonzalez.
Penalosa said he was in “good shape” but needed to step up training at celebrated trainer Freddie Roach’s Wild Card gym.
Penalosa said he learned from Billy Keane that Diosdado Gabi may fight IBF super flyweight champion Dimitri Kirilov in the undercard of March 2 where AJ “Bazooka” Banal and Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista have also been cleared to fight. This was announced by Michael Aldeguer of the ALA Gym who has taken over the mantle of his father, Tony Aldeguer following a conversation with Golden Boy Promotions vice president and international matchmaker Eric Gomez.
