With FightBeat breaking the news regarding the Penalosa-Vorapin bout being cancelled, I decided to try and finally bring some clarity to the possibility of a Daniel Ponce De Leon-Gerry Penalosa rematch. I caught up with Ponce?s adviser, Jose Hernandez, regarding all of the comments and information circulating the internet stating they were offered tons of money to fight Penalosa.
I spoke candidly to Mr. Hernandez stating the Ponce hasn?t really looked good in his last few fights, and that he made about $300K in his last fight. According to Penalosa?s manager, Billy Keane, Team Ponce De Leon was asking for $850K for the rematch. Keane also stated that they had made them a very generous offer, which based on the internet reports, was around $300K. Mr. Hernandez shed some light on the situation.
?Billy Keane misspoke. We never asked for $850K for the rematch. We have letters from our attorney and Goldenboy Promotions regarding the negotiations for this fight and nowhere on our letters does it state we wanted $850K for the rematch,? said Mr. Hernandez. ?The initial offer was sent in was for $600K for the fight.?
?As far as this generous offer, who did they send it too?? continued Hernandez. ?Our promoter, Goldenboy Promotions, offered us the minimum in our contract to fight Penalosa. Ponce De Leon is still the champion and they want him to fly to the Philippines and put his title on the line for the minimum pay? Come on. What are the chances of De Leon coming back with the title in Penalosa?s back yard? If they want him to basically give up the title they should at least reward him handsomely?
Penalosa also claimed that they offered De Leon the fight twice and he turned it down. A report released on January 10, 2008, by Ronnie Nathanielsz of the Manila Standard today added credence to this claim by quoting Eric Gomez, Golden Boy Promotions vice president and matchmaker, as saying ?He [Ponce De Leon] turned it down claiming he wanted to take a rest because he?s tired.?
Mr. Hernandez refutes that claim.
?Mr. Gomez did offer us the fight, but we rejected the date offered?not the fight,? says Hernandez. ?De Leon fought 3 fights in less than 120 days, and his body was feeling the effects. Although they countered by saying he only fought a 1-round fight and then a 5-round fight, you don?t prepare to fight one round. By the time he got to Escobedo he was burnt out.?
?Just look at the Escobedo fight, we looked liked shit. De Leon took a beating from a young pug that Ponce should have knocked out,? said Hernandez. ?Then they offered us the Penalosa fight with a February date. We rejected it and asked for more time to recover. I think our promoter was somewhat understanding. We know they want to promote a few big fights in the Philippines. It?s business. But we need to protect our fighter and they need to do the same?.
Currently Ponce De Leon doesn?t have a fight scheduled, but with the latest developments they are on standby waiting for the call. I asked Mr. Hernandez to give me three opponents for De Leon. His response drew a smile.
?1- Gerry Penalosa, 2- Geronimo Penalosa, 3- ?Fearless? Gerry Penalosa?that?s the only fight we want and that?s the fight we need. Ponce didn?t look so good in that fight, and now he?s telling you that he wants to KO Penalosa? I?m praying to God that he prepares himself well and looks good in his next fight. I?ll be happy that he goes 12 and gets the victory.?
?Look, Ponce is now Sugar Ray Leonard, and he?s now bomber either. He?s a rock slinger, but boy can he throw rocks,? stated Hernandez. ?There is enough talk about this fight, enough interest that both fighters can get paid properly. Give Ponce his due. Let?s get the champion paid. We?ll take this fight anywhere in the world. It really makes no difference to us. All we are asking for is fair pay and the proper time for rest and training. They have my number. Come right and we?ll make the fight?
