CEBU CITY--He knows fully well time is of the essence career-wise, and Gerry Pe?alosa, now training at the ALA Gym, does not want any more delays in his renewed quest for another crack at a world title.
The first order of the day is to remove the hump being posed by Paraguay's Dario Azuaga, who has stepped up to the plate to face the fearsome Pe?alosa on December 10 at the Y?ares Center in Antipolo City.
"Time is running fast on me. And a year off from boxing is definitely a big letdown," informed Pe?alosa in a recent interview at the ALA Gym, referring to his one-year absence in the fight circuit.
Gerry Pe?alosa, (left) mixes it up with Philippine Bantam Champ Michael Domingo during a sparring session at Cebu's ALA Gym. Photo by Dong Secuya.
His last fight, a seventh-round knockout over Thai Bangsaen Sithpraprom, took place on November 27 last year for the fringe WBF superfly title.
"I told my handlers if they could not arrange a fight for me before the end of the year, we might as well part ways. I'm happy they understood my situation," the lefty banger revealed.
Pe?alosa (48-5-2, 33 KO's) has been working out at the famous ALA Gym, together with undercard fighter Michael Farenas whom he manages together with a Japanese friend. They are set to fly back to Manila this weekend.
Gerry (right) prepares to attack sparring partner Sherwin Paro. Photo by Dong Secuya.
"I told Sir ALA (Mr. Aldeguer, owner of the gym) that I'm going back to my roots. I'm an original ALA Boy. That's why I'm given this nice black shirt," Pe?alosa rationalized, showing off the black ALA shirt he wore during the training session.
Defying natural laws, Pe?alosa looked like the menacing fighter of old, sparring against RP bantam king Michael Domingo, Sherwin Paro and Pedro Malco. All throughout, he held his own, not a bit looking like someone who has been inactive for a year.
"I've always kept myself in shape, and I maintain a healthy lifestyle," explained Pe?alosa when reminded that after 16 years of fighting as a pro, he's only added 10 pounds since his first fighting weight as a junior flyweight.
As for his next foe, the former ALA fighter revealed that he's already seen tapes of Azuaga's previous fights, and likened the Paraguayan to the flamboyant Naseem Hamed.
"He always had a nice entrance everytime he fought in his country. And, good thing for the fans, he always comes to fight. He's a banger Azuaga," Pe?alosa observed.
"But then, I'm ready. So let's get it on."
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