By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Two-time world champion and 2002 "Trainer of the Year" Buddy McGirt said yesterday he was "very impressed" with former WBC super flyweight champion Gerry Penalosa and highly rated Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation super flyweight Z "The Dream" Gorres who have been working out at his gym in Orlando, Florida since last week. In an overseas telephone conversation with Viva Sports/Manila Standard, McGirt, the former world junior welterweight and welterweight champion said "they both can fight aside from being good listeners."
McGirt said the experienced Penalosa "can really punch. He can crack." He said that after a couple of rounds on the punch mitts his arms ached because of the remarkable punching power of Penalosa whom 2003 "Trainer of the Year" Freddie Roach had earlier described as technically superior to Ring Magazine featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao. The 22 year old Gorres, ten years younger than Penalosa is preparing for a ten round bout on the undercard of the Pacquiao-Erik Morales showdown at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on March 19 against IBF No. 7 ranked Dimitri "The Baby" Kirilov who has a record of 26-2 with 9 knockouts.
McGirt said Gorres still "needs to learn" some of the finer points but was picking up quickly. In an article on Fight World, boxing writer Eric Rineer said it was "sizzling inside the warehouse-based gym" adding there's nothing fancy about it. McGirt will tell you, "the fighters aren't here to party, they're here to train" which is why he is impressed with the two Filipino southpaws whom he described as soft-spoken, decent and "good guys who work very hard." McGirt said Penalosa and Gorres made friends quickly with other fighters in the gym adding "they are like family." He said Penalosa and Gorres "have a good time together and love going to the malls." McGirt concluded by stressing "everything is good."
