By Ronnie Nathanielsz
WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa who is scheduled to move up in weight and to challenge WBO super bantamweight champion Juan Manuel “Juanma” Lopez on April 25 in Puerto Rico hasn’t received the fight contract as yet.
Penalosa’s manager Billy Keane told insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports from Los Angeles that despite the promise of Top Rank promoter to send him Penalosa’s contract “there’s no contract yet. Bob said its coming but we don’t have it yet.”
Arum who promotes the Puerto Rican sensation Lopez who won the title with a stunning first round KO of Daniel Ponce De Leon told us last week that Keane would receive the contract in one or two days and the details would be finalized this week. Arum told us “we are ready to do the fight. I will get a contract to Billy Keane (Penalosa’s manager) and he’s going to get it to Penalosa, hopefully by Friday.”
Arum indicated then that the minor hitch concerned the Philippine television rights for the fight which Penalosa said he wanted to acquire and to, in turn, sell the rights to the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN with whom he had signed a two-fight deal.
However, Arum indicated “that’s impossible” apparently because Arum has a deal with Solar Sports.
Penalosa claimed he signed a two-fight contract with ABS-CBN because he was assured by Keane that it could be worked out. The veteran world champion said he had tried to contact his manager but was unsuccessful.
Meantime, Penalosa continues training in Baguio City along with IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire who will defend his title against undefeated Raul “Cobra” Martinez at the Araneta Coliseum on March 22 in a card that will also feature former WBC lightweight champion Brian Viloria in a title fight against reigning IBF champion Ulises Solis.
