NEGRENSE World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion Gerry Pe?alosa of San Carlos City, Negros Occidental said he is ready to fight Thai challenger Ratanachai Sor Vorapin on April 6 at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Pe?alosa aims to duplicate his victory via knockout over pre-fight favorite Mexican Jhonny Gonzales in the Philippines vs Mexico World Cup of boxing in Sacramento, California, USA last year. In a text message to Sun.Star Bacolod Monday, Pe?alosa said he is already “more than 100 percent ready to defend his title.” He said that after his training with the newly crowned WBC super featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, California, his confidence got a big boost.
Pe?alosa said even at 35, he remains in top shape and feels good about his physical condition because he eats the right kind of food and is religiously following his exercise regimen “just like Manny Pacquiao.”
Told that the Sports Communicators Organization of the Philippines (Scoop Bacolod) named him “co-athlete of the year” last 2007 along with WBO minimumweight titlist Donnie Nietes of Murcia and Barangay Granada, Bacolod City, Pe?alosa expressed his thanks and gratitude for the honor.
“Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga taga Negros sa malaking karangalan na bigay nila sa akin (I’m thankful to the people of Negros for giving me the great honor)” said Pe?alosa, who belongs to the ALA stable of Cebu-based Negrense boxing guru Antonio ‘Bidoy’ Aldeguer.
Pe?alosa also congratulated boxing leaders in Bacolod after he was informed that pro-boxing promotions have been scheduled regularly here to help promising young Negrense pugs aspiring to become successful professional boxers. He hopes “Bugal sang Bacolodnon Boxing Promotions” will not get tired of promoting fights for upcoming Negrense boxers.
“Malaking bagay yan para sa aming mga boxers – sana ipagpatuloy nila (It’s a big thing for us boxers – I hope they will continue doing that),” Pe?alosa said.
