Thursday, July 17, 2008 Peñalosa to defend title vs Rocha in Lanao By Henry C. Villalva
SAN Carlos City, Negros Occidental native Gerry Peñalosa, one of the two reigning Negrense pro boxing world champions, is scheduled to stage his defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight title against challenger Nestor Rocha in Tubod, Lanao del Norte on September 20.
Peñalosa, who fights under the famous ALA stable of Cebu-based Negrense international boxing promoter Antonio 'Bidoy' Aldeguer, was originally scheduled to fight Rocha on the undercard of the Joel Casamayor versus Juan Manuel Marquez WBO lightweight championship on September 13 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but opted to get the Philippine TV rights, in addition to the $100,000 purse, a report from Manila indicated Wednesday.
The fight is reportedly being bankrolled by Rep. Abdullah Dimaporo, who wants to use the event to project a positive image of his province, which has a large following for boxing and excellent facility to host the event.
The Negrense champion was reported to have asked for an increase of his purse to $150,000 through his manager Billy Keane, but the latter reportedly told him it was not possible since Golden Boy Promotions was only willing to up the prize to $130,000, which Peñalosa said was too small.
Peñalosa is reportedly trying to negotiate with ABS-CBN for a possible partnership in the project.
The champion, who was awarded the SCOOP Athlete of the Year plum along with WBO minimum weight champion Donnie Nietes of Murcia, Negros Occidental and Bacolod City during last December's SCOOP Awards for Outstanding Athletes of Negros, reportedly forged an agreement with Dimaporo for the latter to put up a budget of $300,000 to finance the fight.
Peñalosa was scheduled to meet with ABS-CBN officials yesterday afternoon to discuss a possible tie-up. The giant network telecast the 'World Cup of Boxing,' in which Peñalosa scored a KO over Johnny Gonzales to grab the world title.
The same network also promoted the 'Invasion' card when Peñalosa defended his title against Thai Ratanachai Sor Vorapin.
