By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Former WBC super flyweight champion Gerry Penalosa who is training at the gym of 2002 "Trainer of the Year" Buddy McGirt along with flashy Z "The Dream" Gorres in Orlando, Florida is full of praise for McGirt, according to his former manager, WBC founding secretary general Rudy Salud.
Salud manages Gorres in partnership with Cebu boxing patron Tony Aldeguer and was instrumental in sending both fighters to train under the former two-division world champion with the assistance of international promoter Murad Muhammad. Salud said Penalosa, in an overseas telephone conversation said McGirt was "the best trainer he ever worked under" and indicated he was "very nice but a very strict disciplinarian."
Penalosa said he and Gorres live close to the beach and McGirt personally picks them up and drops them at home. Penalosa said Gorres being the less experienced boxer was "learning a lot" from McGirt. Penalosa said "he is a super trainer and a super person."
Murad Muhammad said McGirt was "very impressed with both fighters" and said he was confident Penalosa’s could come back and win a world title. McGirt said he was amazed at "the punching power of Gerry. He can really crack them" while Gorres still had "some things to learn" although he said "the kid can fight."
