Gerry Pe?alosa has earned the ire of Mexican fighters. Shortly after Pe?alosa?s scintillating eight-round stoppage of Thai toughguy Ratanachai Sor Vorapin on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum, an up-and-coming Mexican gladiator could not help but express his desire to get it on with the famed Filipino southpaw.
Abner Mares, who Filipino fight fans vividly remember as the long-armed fighter who send Diosdado Gabi crashing to the floor underneath the Pacquiao versus Juan Manuel Marquez headliner last March 15, wants a piece of Pe?alosa.
Mares, 22, unbeaten in 16 fights with 10 knockouts, told the Mexican media yesterday that Pe?alosa “es un buen peleador, pero nada del otro mundo (a great fighter, but not the best in the world).”
Mares has informed his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya about facing Pe?alosa and the head of Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) reportedly is considering a Mares-Pe?alosa fight by the end of the year.
Pe?alosa, however, has other names on his mind. Foremost is another Mexican Daniel Ponce De Leon, who dealt him a controversial 12-round points loss last year.
GBP officials say Pe?alosa?s wish to rumble with De Leon would depend on negotiations that would take place in the coming weeks.
Mares, who represented Mexico in the 2004 Athens Olympics, said he is not afraid of going to the Philippines and meet Pe?alosa right in his own turf.
Before turning professional, Mares, now being trained by Nacho Beristain, the Mexican guru who also calls the shots in the corner of Juan Manuel and Rafael Marquez, fought extensively in the amateur ranks, having won accolades in World Junior, Pan Am Games, World Cadet and Central American Games.
Pe?alosa, 35, wants to fight two more times this year before hanging up his gloves.
