Saturday, October 13, 2007 Gerry, de Leon rematch proposed for Dec. 8
GERRY Peñalosa may get an earlier chance to avenge his unanimous decision loss to Daniel Ponce de Leon if a proposed Dec. 8 rematch is finalized.
Peñalosa, the WBO bantamweight champion, lost by a controversial unanimous decision to de Leon in their first meeting in April. Peñalosa was widely believed to have controlled the match but the Mexican champion came out a surprising winner.
The Peñalosa- de Leon fight is being proposed as an undercard to the encounter between two undefeated welterweights, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Ricky Hatton, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The deal, however, is yet to be signed as Peñalosa reportedly wanted more than what he is being offered as prize money. Peñalosa is also currently negotiating for more plane tickets and accommodations.
The 35-year old two-time world champion said he is worth the money he is asking for because of the risk he is going to undergo fighting the bull-strong de Leon.
De Leon scored a first round technical knock out win over Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista. He followed this with a fifth-round knockout win over Reynaldo Lopez last Sept. 28 in Cabazon, California, to improve his ring record to 33-1, 30KOs.
Peñalosa, on the other hand, scored a sensational seventh-round knockout of Johnny Gonzales during the Boxing World Cup. He has a professional boxing record of 52-6-2, 35KOs.
The fight was earlier scheduled for February here in the Philippines but the promoters of the two fighters, the Golden Boy Promotions, wanted it to be showcased around the world through pay-per-view TV. (RCM)
