Sunday, July 20, 2008 Gerry wants Vasquez By Edri K. Aznar Sun.Star Staff Reporter
WITH only a few more fights left in his long illustrious boxing career, World Boxing Organization Bantamweight titleholder Gerry “Fearless Peñalosa wants the best out of it.
First he will defend his crown against Mexican Nestor Rocha in a blockbuster fight card on Sept. 20 at the Mindanao Civic Center Gym in Tubod, Lanao del Norte dubbed “Judgement Day” before aiming at one of the best in the super bantamweight division—World Boxing Council super bantamweight king Israel Vasquez.
“I want to retire clean and I want the Filipinos to be proud of me when I retire. After Rocha I want to fight Vasquez,” Peñalosa said during a press conference announcing the Mindanao fight card yesterday at the Cebu Grand Hotel.
Gerry plans to fight the exciting fighter Vasquez, who was in a trilogy with brother Rafael Marquez, the brother of Juan Manuel, because he feels that Vasquez is tailor-made for him.
“I want to fight Vasquez. He is popular and he fits my style. I want to fight the best in my division,” said Peñalosa.
Before getting the WBC super bantamweight champion Vazquez, Peñalosa first has to hurdle his Sept. 20 assignment.
For his 20 title defense, the 35-year-old champion wants to begin training in Cebu before wrapping it up at the famed Wild Card Gym.
No distractions
“I’m going to train here for two weeks then go to the US to train with Freddie Roach. I like it better there because there are less distractions there,” told Peñalosa.
Peñalosa, as a fellow Golden Boy Promotions boxer, doesn’t belittle the challenger Rocha, who is ranked at the top 10 in WBO.
“I’ve seen three tapes of his fights. He is a boxer who wants to stand toe-to-toe with you. Rocha is a GBP boxer and you can’t take him for granted. GBP wants only world-class boxers,” said the WBO champion.
Peñalosa, who was originally slated to defend his title in Cebu, chose to fight in Lanao del Norte to help promote boxing there, which is increasing its popularity in that part of Mindanao.
