Monday, August 27, 2007 Peñalosa gets surprise hero’s fete
NEWLY crowned World Boxing Organization bantamweight champion Gerry Peñalosa got the surprise of his life when he was given a hero’s welcome in his return to his place of birth—San Carlos City in Negros Occidental last Friday.
Peñalosa who was raised in Cebu City, received a very warm welcome from the port, complete with an accompanying welcome band.
San Carlos Vice Mayor Gingo Valmayor personally welcomed the two-time world champion who was accompanied by some of his close relatives and friends.
According to Peñalosa, he got a call from the secretary general of the San Carlos City Boxing club Jojo Salvador who was inquiring about his homecoming.
Salvador did not notify Peñalosa of what the city government has prepared for him when he got home.
Meanwhile, on Sept. 16, Peñalosa will hold a four-round exhibition fight at the Metropolis Mall in Alabang, Muntinlupa with North American Boxing Federation 122-lb. champion Bernabe Concepcion.
Peñalosa will also try to ask permission from Manny Pacquiao to have the celebrated American boxing trainer Freddie Roach, who is training Pacquiao in Cebu, at his corner to guide him throughout the “match.”
Like Pacquiao, Roach also needs a time out from their hectic training schedule and since the exhibition will fall on a Sunday, Peñalosa is optimistic that he could get the approval from the Filipino ring icon. (RCM)
