Los Angeles, CA:- If one is a world champion working out in a gym it goes to reason that majority of the attention will be focused on him. Some even get the whole gym for themselves.
But such is not the case for Gerry Penalosa, the WBO Bantamweight champion.
Penalosa works out at the Wildcard Gym, the same sweatshop made famous by the World?s pound-4-pound king Manny Pacquiao.
He starts out early, hours before Pacquiao comes in to do his thing. But his time frame is also when a lot of up and coming fighters are in the gym training or simply working out. Thus, he has to patiently wait for his turn on the ring to do his sparring.
In spite of the tight schedule, one will never see or hear him complain. Penalosa is such an ?old? veteran in the game that he fully understands that waiting for his turn on the ring is just part of the game. Everyone has to do it, world champions included.
That is until one comes up with credentials and achievements of Manny Pacquiao!
Only then will the whole gym be cleared out of ?non-essential people? and those not directly connected to the Team. But then again, that is expected and fully deserved.
When Penalosa finally gets his turn, a transformation occurs. He becomes a portrait of a man focused on the tasks ahead. He assiduously listens to the trainers, executes and practices the game plan.
Watching Penalosa spar is pure delight. He is such a defensive strategist and counter punching expert. Thus, the ?young ones? would take a break in their proceedings and watch him do his thing.
Penalosa will be fighting in three weeks at Puerto Rico. Pundits state that he will be in for the fight of his life against Juan Manuel Lopez, the undefeated WBO super bantamweight champion.
Penalosa will be defying the odds. First, he is fighting in the home turf of the champion and secondly, he will be going up one division higher. Winning by a close decision is out of the question. He needs a very convincing win.
?Okay lang naman, he stated to this writer when asked about his training and more importantly his chances against Lopez. ?His style is tailored made for me because he comes to fight and not run around?, he added.
Penalosa leaves for Puerto Rico with his Team a week before his April 25th date with Lopez. Given what this writer saw at the Penalosa training camp, there is no doubt that Lopez must come in tip top shape. Otherwise, he may end up as another Johnny Gonzales.
Top photo: Penalosa (R) spars at the Wildcard Gym Wednesday. Photo by Dr. Ed dela Vega.
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