DID ROACH MAKE RIGHT CALL WITH GERRY?
Las Vegas, NV- You can bookend recent Philippine boxing history (1996-present) from the rise of Luisito Espinosa and his seven featherweight title defenses to Manny Pacquiao’s reign as the 2006 Fighter of the Year. But in between those two moments came the reign of Gerry Penalosa, 51-5-2 (34 KOs). Not too long after Espinosa won the WBC featherweight title in 1996 against Manuel Medina in Japan, Gerry Penalosa won the WBC super flyweight title, also in Japan, against Japanese champion Hiroshi Kawashima, who retired after the lost. Through all the ups and downs, which included four close losses on points (three were split decisions) in the opponents’ hometown, Penalosa finds himself with an opportunity to relive the glory.
PENALOSA: BEST OF THE BIG THREE!
Luisito Espinosa, Gerry Penalosa, and Manny Pacquiao have stood out in the boxing world as the Philippines’ most elite fighters of the past decade. Espinosa had his moment in the limelight when he knocked out 1988 Olympian Kennedy McKinney back in 1998. If it were not for a bad decision lost in El Paso against Cesar Soto, maybe Espinosa would have exposed Prince Naseem Hamed before Marco Antonio Barrera did.
PACMAN’S POPULARITY UNRIVALLED!
As of right now, there’s no more popular fighter in the game than Manny Pacquiao. His last two fights against Erik Morales was unanimously ranked among the top 10 bouts in 2006. As it stands right now, Pacquiao is scheduled in a tune-up (aka “Easy Money”) against unknown undefeated Jorge Solis in San Antonio.
DE LEON WON’T RUN FROM GERRY
No, he’ll probably “run” at the outsized Penalosa instead! Gerry’s task Saturday will be to try and neutralize monster punching WBO 122 lb. champion, Daniel Ponce De Leon. Eight year younger than Penalosa at 26, Ponce De Leon is extremely confident after three straight dominating knockouts. With a record of 30-1 (28 KOs), Daniel is looking for a mega showdown against WBC and recognized super bantamweight champion, Rafael Marquez.
GERRY IS THE “OPPONENT” HERE FOLKS!
To Team De Leon, Penalosa would serve as a great name to add to his resume and bring legitimacy to De Leon’s reign as WBO champion. Daniel rarely takes a step back and expects to knock out every opponent he faces. That style plays to Penalosa’s strengths perfectly. In those close decision losses, Gerry’s opponents effectively used their height advantaged to peck with the jab and run all night. At Gerry’s advanced age of 34, it would not serve him well to chase an opponent over twelve rounds; he won’t have to chase De Leon at any point.
IF HE CAN TAKE THE POWER, CAN HE WIN IT?
This match is very intriguing on two levels. First, it obvious that stylistically, Penalosa’s superior boxing skills and experience can result to De Leon getting schooled over twelve rounds. Penalosa throws better combinations, can fight on the inside and the outside, and prefers fighting as opponent who comes forwards. De Leon will be open all night to Gerry’s counter punches. However, De Leon has one distinct advantage over Penalosa, superior punching power and size, which could be enough to knock out Penalosa for the first time in his career.
EVERYBODY “SCARED” OF MR. DE LEON
All of De Leon’s victims have suffered the same reaction when first experience one of his punches, fear. When Celestino Caballero handled the heat early, he went on to win a unanimous decision in De Leon’s only professional defeat. Something that is not a good sign, Penalosa has been hurt in recent fights; like at the end of his fight against Tomas Rojas (on the undercard of Pacquiao-Oscar Larios), where he was stunned with a punch, but wisely covered up until the final bell. Win or lose, Penalosa will validate his career by impressing the American audience and reminding his Filipino fans why he’s been such a great fighter. Freddie Roach, who trains Gerry, took this fight thinking Gerry would win. The majority of those polled feel Mr. Roach erred here.
QUICK JABS…
MANNY EXPECTED TO LAND IN U.S THIS SATURDAY! According to Rob Peters, friend and enforcer of the Pacman, he expects to see Manny Pacquiao ready to work at the Wild Card Gym by weekends end. A likely presence in Las Vegas to support friend and mentor, Gerry Penalosa, Pacquiao will arrive in the U.S this Saturday, but Peters stresses, “It (the plan) changes everyday” THE STORY IS THE PACMAN…It seems as if Manny Pacquiao will run for Congress in the upcoming May elections. He will likely have a month to campaign for a congressional seat after he disposes of (if he trains right) Jorge Solis in quick fashion this April 14th. Pacquiao is taking the “Chuck Hagel” strategy, in which you postpone your declaration for candidacy until a few months before elections, by having a late one month campaign. It seems strange for any Politico to have a short campaign as the President candidates in the respective parties have already started campaigning two years prior! Maybe it shows how ready the country is on moving on to a new President, leaving the current President a far distant (aka bad) memory. Word of advice to Manny, he should stick to taking about the national issues/problems facing the country because congress usually votes on national issues. How about keeping the top nurses from going overseas? MARQUEZ SHOULD BEAT BARRERA: Juan Manuel Marquez will get a third shot in fulfilling his potential of greatness. The first was a lackluster showing against the awkward Freddie Norwood in 1999. The less about the fight the better, though I though Marquez won that bout. The second was a thrilling comeback draw against Manny Pacquiao, which Marquez technically should of lost if judge Bert Clemens scored the first round (multiple knockdowns) 10-6. Marquez accomplished so much in a draw, but wasted it not taking the rematch and getting robbed in Indonesia. For Marco Antonio Barrera, he’s played it safe in choosing his opponents since his victory over Erik Morales in 2004, with the exception of the canceled Jesus Chavez bout last year. I though Chavez would’ve knocked Barrera out had they fought and Marquez is at a different level than Chavez. Marquez has the style and punching power to beat Barrera over twelve rounds. Barrera’s only chance to make it a war and hope his heart will outlast Marquez’s heart. Both Fighters need this both badly which can result into two different situations. The first is a blood and guts war, where both fighters are ready to leave it all out in the ring. The second is a technical snooze fest where both first are so worried about losing a round that they’ll land a couple of punches and make sure they win on points. It’s a 50-50 shot that either can happen; spend you money wisely!
