By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Former WBC super flyweight champion Gerry Penalosa predicts “a great fight where the people will not regret paying for their tickets” when he battles Paraguayan bantamweight champion Dario Azuaga at the beautiful air-conditioned Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City on the outskirts of Metro Manila in the Philippines, Saturday evening.

The fights will be telecast by Jemah Television over IBC 13 at 7:00 p.m., sponsored by Hope.  

On the eve of the official weigh-in Azuaga was at the offices of Jemah watching tapes of Manny Pacquiao's fights until past 10:00 p.m. hoping to learn something from the fighting style of the devastating puncher who is regarded as a national treasure in the country.

After a brisk workout at the Elorde Gym in the Home Depot complex in Ortigas, Penalosa said he had “trained long and hard and am ready” pointing out that he’s been training “for the past six months including my stint in the US.”

Penalosa said he agreed with American trainer and former two-division world champion Buddy McGirt who predicted Penalosa could once again become a world champion. McGirt made the statement after Penalosa trained for a couple of months in his Orlando, Florida gym.

Penalosa told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that “if you train well your confidence returns.” He said “with my serious training  and determination I can do it.”
Penalosa said that he has always looked after himself. “Aside from boxing, I have stayed away from trouble or nightlife” jokingly adding “I’m scared of my wife.”

Penalosa said he had watched some tapes of Azuaga’s fights and learned that “I cannot be overconfident especially in the early rounds from the first to the fifth or sixth. But after that its mine.” He said “I have to be careful of his right because that’s where all his power is especially in the early rounds. That’s where he knocked out so many of his opponents” twenty five in fact.

Penalosa said Azuaga’s style was made-to-order for him. The 33 year old former world champion said “I like the fact that he wants to come forward and doesn’t run.” Penalosa who has sparred some 80 rounds and trained for two weeks at the famed ALA Gym in Cebu said “you will see a better, younger-looking and hungrier Gerry Penalosa.