UNDERRATED PENALOSA SMOKES #1 CONTENDER!
San Francisco, CA-Many unfamiliar to the career of former 115 lb. champion were shocked at the ability Gerry Penalosa exhibited last Saturday night on the PPV card topped by WBO 122 lb. king Daniel Ponce De Leon. Gerry got the airtime because fellow Filipino Jimrex Jaca endured complications obtaining a U.S. Visa, and thus couldn’t face Juan Manuel Marquez. As always, Penalosa was calm and cool, this as he systematically broke down #1 ranked Mauricio Martinez, before stopping him in the ninth round of a scheduled ten round bout. Reports from the U.S media outlets viewed this bout as an upset because of Penalosa’s advanced age and Martinez’s punching power. However, the victory was not a shock to boxing wise guys and the camp of Penalosa, led by trainer Freddie Roach, who has worked with the San Carlos City native on and off.
FIGHTING ON ROAD MAKES YOU A VICTIM
In the 58-fight career of Penalosa, brother of former light flyweight and flyweight champion, Dodie Boy Penalosa, he has never been knocked out or came close to being dominated. Gerry’s last four losses were to two ex-champions (twice to Masamori Tokuyama (WBC champ, 32-3-1, 8 KOs) and twice to In Joo Choo(18-2, 7 KOs) in their hometowns. Each fight ended up a close contest, resulting in one close unanimous and three split decisions.
HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF THIS PENALTY?
The second fight against Choo was a huge robbery as Penalosa clearly won seven out of the twelve rounds and still losses a split decision. In that bout, there was a point deduction against Penalosa because Cho was slipping around the corner of Penalosa. It was clear that the hometown country were not going to let Gerry walk away with the title. This was a major reason why Penalosa left the game for two years.
AVIOD THOSE STICK AND MOVE (RUN) FIGHTERS
Tokuyama and Choo are very similar fighters, who were much taller than the 5’4” frame of Penalosa, and loved to use the long-range jab while running. To American fans, the two conquerors of Penalosa are closely similar to ex featherweight champion, Derrick “Stinker” Gainer. Penalosa is a natural boxer-puncher, who prefers his opponents to come forward and attack him. Although Cho and Tokuyama had the style advantages, Penalosa was still able to walk away with close decisions in their turf.
GERRY GAVE PACMAN “HELL” IN GYM WARS
The Philippine boxing community is very close and many of the fighters (past and present) know each other. Back in the late nineties, a skinny flyweight named Manny Pacquiao had several sparring sessions with Gerry. Stories from railbirds present for those battles were legendary, as both fighters traded knock downs on several occasions with Penalosa usually coming out on top. The two fighters have bounded ever since then with Pacquiao now helping his former mentor get back to championship boxing.
THE “HYBRID” FILIPINO BOXER CAN BE CHAMP
I was always miffed at why Penalosa, now 34, and 54-5-2 with 31 KOs, decided to take a respite from boxing because he clearly had the skills of compete at the top of the game and was only setback by controversial decisions. Now that he has Golden Boy Promotions back him into a title, Penalosa can finally show the entire boxing world why he was considered by many (myself included) as the most skillful boxer in recent Philippine boxing history. You can call Penalosa the “hybrid” Filipino, displaying the experience and boxing savvy of Luisito Espinosa, while having the ability out punch his opponent like Manny Pacquiao. Just tell the “little-lefty” to avoid any fighter who fights like Derrick Gainer.
