CEBU CITY -- His former target, former champion Daniel Ponce de Leon of Mexico being out of the way, WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa is now aiming his sights on WBC super bantam champion Israel Vazquez, also of Mexico, Penalosa told the media gathered at the Cebu Grand Hotel here this afternoon where he is announcing his next fight against Nestor Rocha in Tubod, Lanao del Norte on Sep. 20.
"My time in boxing is now very limited because I am going to retire soon so I want to fight with the best out there. I hope Golden Boy can arrange that fight (with Vazquez) but right now I will take care of Rocha first," Penalosa said.
Penalosa had been raring to have a revenge against Ponce de Leon after their first encounter resulted in a Penalosa loss that Gerry thought he had won. Ponce de Leon, however, was knocked out in the first round by Puerto Rican Juan Manuel Lopez recently and lost his crown.
Also present during the presscon were Sammy Gello-ani of SGG Promotions and Lemuel 'Bong' Yap of Black Scorpion Promotions. The duo will co-promote the Penalosa fight dubbed as 'Judgement Day'. WBO Vice-President Leon Panoncillo and Lyndon Calica, representing the Lanao del Norte government were also present.
Calica addressed the concern of the media about the peace and order of the area telling everyone that Tubod was host to many international conferences in the past and assured everyone's safety. Calica added that sports tourism is the primary program of the Lanao del Norte government and thanked Penalosa in agreeing to fight in Lanao to showcase the place.
Top photo: Penalosa (C) signs the contract for his Sep. 20 fight in Tubod, Lanao del Norte. To his right is Lemuel Yap and to his left is Sammy Gello-ani who co-promote the event. Standing at left is Lyndon Calica of the Lanao del Norte government and WBO Vice-President Leon Panoncillo.
(L-R) Lyndon Calica, Lemuel Yap, Gerry Penalosa, Sammy Gello-ani and Leon Panoncillo.
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