By Rey Danseco
GERRY Penalosa might get another chance to fight for a world title in his next appearance later this year.
American trainer Freddie Roach is involved in negotiations on behalf of Penalosa to get a shot against International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight champion Rafael Marquez of Mexico.
If the plans push through, the fight might takes place either on November 18 as one of the undercard bouts to Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales third confrontation in Las Vegas or in the main event of Gary Shaw Productions’ card on December 2 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
But Marquez’s manager-trainer Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain is more inclined to set the looming titular fight in the petroleum-rich country in the Middle East, according to popular Mexican daily Esto, in a report yesterday.
It can be recalled that the Marquez brothers, including ex-world champ Juan Manuel Marquez who figured in a draw with Pacquiao in 2004, had severed ties with Bob Arum, president of Top Rank, the promoter of the Pacquiao-Morales fight.
The IBF titlist Marquez is now under the wings of Gary Shaw since May. Shaw is the same promoter of the world rated California-based Filipino champions, Glenn and Nonito Donaire.
Glenn, widely known as the Filipino Bomber, is the current North American flyweight champs of the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Organization while Nonito, known as Filipino Flash, is the reigning North American super flyweight king under World Boxing Council.
Marquez, 31-year old from Mexico City, captured the IBF bantamweight title in 2003, knocking out undefeated defending champion Tim Austin in the eighth round. He has successfully defended his title seven times and is currently enjoying a six-year, 15-bout winning streak -- 10 by knockout -- including knockout victories over former world champions Tim Austin, Mark Johnson and Mauricio Pastrana. He has 36-3 win-loss records with 32 knockouts in his career since 1995.
On the other hand, the 34-year old Penalosa is riding in a four-fight winning streak after coming from retirement following his third failed attempt to regain the WBC super flyweight title in December 2002.
Penalosa, a southpaw, has packed with 50-5-1 with 33 knockouts. He is currently ranked No. 11 under Marquez and No. 22 contender by the WBC.
Both boxer stand 5-foot-5, but Marquez has reach advantage in his 68.5 inchess wingspan compare to Penalosa’s 65.
