WBO superban-tamweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon of Mexico was only eight years old when Filipino challenger Gerry Pe?alosa made his pro debut in 1989 and the age difference could be a telling factor when they slug it out in a 12-round title bout at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas this morning (Manila time).
But the upside for Pe?alosa is his rich experience with 27 more fights than de Leon.
De Leon, 26, is making the fourth defense of his crown and has won his last six outings, five by KO. His record is 30-1, with 28 KOs. Pe?alosa, 34, lost the WBC superflyweight title in 1998 and has been thwarted in four bids to regain the throne. Now, he’s gunning for a second world championship in the twilight of a long career. Pe?alosa has won his last five fights and boasts a 51-5-2 record, with 34 KOs. All his losses were on points, four by split decision.
Both fighters scaled 122 pounds at the weigh-in yesterday although Pe?alosa, a natural superflyweight (115 pounds), is moving up two divisions for a crack at the crown. How a blown-up Pe?alosa will manage the added poundage is a cause for concern.
Pe?alosa, however, isn’t worried about fighting a natural 122-pounder.
“I’m ready and confident,” he said. “I know I must win convincingly to take the title and winning by knockout will eliminate complications. I feel very good. This fight will define my career. I have never trained harder. I prepared long and hard. This is the fight I’ve been waiting for.”
Pe?alosa’s trainer and manager Freddie Roach will miss the bout as he is in Oscar de la Hoya’s camp in Puerto Rico. Justin Fortune, Eric Brown and Joe Chavez will work Pe?alosa’s corner. Roach predicted Pe?alosa, a 10-1 underdog, to win.
“Gerry will kill the guy,” said Roach. “He’s still one of the best pure boxers out there and he’ll prove it to everyone come fight night.”
In an overseas phone call from his Mandalay Bay suite yesterday, Pe?alosa told The STAR his experience and skill will prove decisive.
“I don’t believe in odds,” said Pe?alosa. “He has the advantage in size and age. But I’ve been in boxing long enough to know what to do. I’m dedicating this fight to all Filipino boxing fans.”
Pe?alosa said de Leon is tailor-made for him because the Mexican likes to attack going forward. His forecast is a win by a late round stoppage.
After the weigh-in, Pe?alosa ate pansit, bulalo, fish and vegetables then took a one-hour nap before waking up at 7:30 p.m. He said he just stays inside his hotel room to avoid losing focus.
De Leon has never been stopped and his only loss was a lopsided decision to a lanky and long-armed Celestino Caballero who outboxed him from a distance two years ago. Looking past Pe?alosa, de Leon said he’s excited to take on newly crowned WBC superbantamweight champion Rafael Marquez in his next bout.
While Pe?alosa and de Leon are both 5-5, the Mexican has a distinct five-inch edge in reach.
Pe?alosa’s former manager Rudy Salud, meanwhile, cited de Leon’s credentials, size and age as major stumbling blocks but didn’t rule out an upset.
“The only way for Gerry to win is to hit de Leon hard at the start so he holds back the rest of the way,” said Salud. “If de Leon goes full blast and just walks through Gerry’s punches, it will be difficult to beat him. Gerry should put him in his place early. If not, de Leon will bulldoze his way through Gerry’s defense because of his size and power.”
Salud admitted he tried to dissuade Pe?alosa from fighting de Leon. “But Gerry thinks he can win,” continued Salud. “He’s inspired by Manny’s (Pacquiao) success. My whole family is praying very hard for Gerry’s welfare and for him to win.”
In the main event, WBC superfeatherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera defends his crown against Juan Manuel Marquez in what has been dubbed a Mexican civil war.
On the same card, Davao’s Diosdado Gabi faces Colombian Antonio Maria Cochero in a 10-round bantamweight bout. Gabi, 27, is coming off back-to-back first round knockout wins over Mauricio Pastrana and Felipe Rivas. His record is 28-3-1, with 20 KOs. Gabi has lost only once in his last 16 fights. Cochero, 29, is a late replacement for Oscar Andrade and has a 17-4-1 record, with 13 KOs, but an internet source claimed it was 7-3, with 5 KOs. Cochero has lost his last two outings.
