TWO days into the biggest challenge of his 17-year career, Gerry Peñalosa got a morale boost from fellow world class fighters in Cebu.
Peñalosa, 34, will need all the support he can get when he fights power-puncher Daniel Ponce De Leon of Mexico for the WBO and IBA super bantamweight titles this Sunday at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The ALA Gym, where Gerry had honed his skills to become a complete fighter, will be rooting for the San Carlos City-born fighter when he goes up against De Leon.
“The ALA Boys are all praying for Gerry’s success. That also goes with me,” said ALA Boys mentor and Cebu’s foremost boxing patron Antonio Lopez Aldeguer in a text message.
According to Aldeguer, ALA Boy Z “The Dream” Gorres had sparred with Ponce De Leon once in his training at the Wild Card Gym, and there is a good possibility that Peñalosa can win the fight.
“Gorres had sparred with Ponce De Leon and we feel he can be beaten by Gerry Peñalosa (comes fight day),” Aldeguer said.
Aldeguer was one of the two persons whom Peñalosa consulted when the offers to fight De Leon came.
Both Aldeguer and Peñalosa’s former manager Rudy Salud discouraged the 34-year-old fighter because of only one reason—De Leon is a much bigger and a harder puncher than the former WBC super flyweight champion.
“The weight difference could take its toll on Gerry if the fight lasts the distance. But we believe he could win the fight,” said Aldeguer.
All the fighters in the card dubbed “Fearless” will top bill Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBC super featherweight title.
De Leon will be making his third title defense, since winning the title from Thai Sod Looknongyangtoy by unanimous decision in Oct. 25.
De Leon parades a daunting 30-1 win-loss record, peppered with 28 KO wins, while Peñalosa carries a 51-5-2 win-loss-draw record including 34KOs. (RCM)
