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STORY OF PHILIPPINE BOXING PART XXXII: GERRY PEÑALOSA, THE TWO-DIVISION WORLD CHAMPION By Maloney L. Samaco PhilBoxing.com Fri, 08 May 2020  Gerónimo Gerry Peñalosa, nicknamed "Fearless" was born on August 7, 1972, now age 47, in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental. A southpaw, Peñalosa turned professional and fought his debut against Fidel Jubay on May 20, 1989, and won the bout by 5th round technical knockout. Then he went on to win seven straight fights against Eddie Torres by UD, Bernie Bernardo by UD, Eugene Flores by UD, Pol Cabanes by 7th round TKO, South Korean Im-Suk Chang by UD, Eldie Paradero by 2nd round TKO, and Loloc Elloren by 7th round KO. Peñalosa grabbed the vacant IBF international light flyweight championship by defeating Indonesian Rachmat Basuki by unanimous decision in Surabaya, Indonesia on January 18, 1990. He chalked up series of victories over South Korean Jeung-Jae Lee by 5th round KO, Bert Refugio by decision, Ric Magramo by 5th round TKO, Elson Duran by 4th round KO, Nolito Cabato by 8th round TKO, Roger Vicera by 4th round TKO, Raffy Montalban by 8th round TKO, Rangga Yuildin by 2nd round TKO, Eddie Yabut by decision, and Jonathan Albay by decision. He failed in his bid to win the Philippines Games & Amusement Board bantamweight title when Samuel Duran edged him by split decision on August 1, 1992 in Cebu City. Gerry triumphed over former IBF flyweight champion Rolando Bohol by UD. He also defeated South Koreans Sung-Kuk Kang, Kyung-Seo Koo, In-Man Chang twice, Yun-Sun Baek, Suk-Hwi Cho, Jae-Chul Han, Jong Keun Lee, Yun-Il Kim, and Kap-Chul Choi. He faced another former world champion, the ex-WBC light flyweight titlist Rolando Pascua and stopped him by 8th round KO on April 8, 1995. Peñalosa captured the World Boxing Council and lineal super flyweight title via a split decision over Hiroshi Kawashima on February 27, 1997 in Tokyo, Japan. Memo Ayon of Mexico (115-114) and Tom Kaczmarek of USA (116-112) favored Peñalosa while Rudy Ortega of USA (114-115) had it for Kawashima. Gerry defended his title successfully against Seung Koo Lee of South Korea by 9th round KO in Lapulapu City on June 14, 1997. Lee was knocked down in the 1st and 9th round. He triumphed over another South Korean Young Joo Cho via 10th round KO in Seongnam, South Korea on November 23, 1997. Peñalosa defended his title in a fight with Mexican Joel Luna Zarate by technical draw on April 25, 1998. Penalosa's right eye was cut which referee Richard Steele ruled as caused by an accidental headbutt. Dr. Nasser Cruz declared Peñalosa unfit to continue resulting in a draw. He lost his WBC and lineal title via split decision to In-Joo Cho on August 29, 1998 in Seoul, South Korea. Chuck Hassett (115-117) and Chuck Williams (113-116) favored Cho while only Dalby Shirley (116-112) supported Peñalosa. All three judges are Americans. He won the vacant NABF super flyweight title by knocking out Ramon Jose Hurtado of Panama in the 2nd round on June 5, 1999. In August 29, 1098, he had a rematch with Cho in an effort to win back the title but again he lost by controversial unanimous decision in his foe's home city Seoul, South Korea. Tony Castellano of USA (112-115) and Ken Morita of Japan (113-116) had it for Cho, while Anek Hongtongkam of Thailand (114-113) favored Peñalosa. Gerry was deducted a point in Round 10 because Cho slipped several times at Penalosa's corner because of spilling too much water on the canvas. On September 24, 2001, Peñalosa challenged Masamori Tokuyama who wrested the WBC super flyweight crown from Cho. However, Gerry lost by unanimous decision. The two faced again on December 20, 2002 but the result was a controversial split decision for Tokuyama. The heartbreaking losses made Peñalosa decide to temporarily retire after the fight. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.  |
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