The rigid regimen began over a month ago and is now tapering off with just over a week left before he faces Eric Morel in the Valentine fight card in Las Vegas, Pinoy Power 3.
Peñalosa lost a tough fight against Puerto Rican champion Juan Manuel Lopez last year. He is eager to get back at Morel, who is also from Puerto Rico.
The veteran Filipino boxer believes he has reached the form and fitness needed for the win.
“Pinaghandaan ko talaga ito... Pinarusahan ko sarili ko dito sa gym, nagsakripisyo… para sa laban,” he said.
Adding to inspiration to Peñalosa is the arrival of his wife, Goody, who will be at ringside to watch him.
He is also feeling much better going down a weight class to the 118-pound division.
His coach, Freddie Roach, said the 37-year-old Peñalosa still has what it takes to become a world champion.
“Juan Manuel was too big overall... It’s important ‘coz if he does well in this fight he’ll go for the world title,” noted the American trainer.
Crucial fights
Also putting in some long hours of hard work with Coach Buboy Fernandez is Bernabe Concepcion, who faces a tough fight against another Puerto Rican, Mario Santiago.
Concepcion is also coming from a controversial disqualification loss in his last bout against Steven Luevano.
But he has a big break in Pinoy Power 3 to prove he has got newfound strength and technique to win his crucial bout.
“Ang ginagawa ko this time talagang in-improve ‘yong footwork... at saka bilis ng suntok at iyong accuracy,” stated Concepcion.
Fernandez said he is confident that Concepcion can clinch the victory this time. “100 percent kailangan concentrate sa body shot...... May panalo tayo basta makinig lang siya sa corner.”
Pacman support
A big boost for both Peñalosa and Concepcion is the support from Manny Pacquiao who is himself training at Roach’s Wild Card Gym for his upcoming fight versus Joshua Clottey.
It is extremely important for Peñalosa and Concepcion to win their bouts in Pinoy Power 3. Not only do they want to score a victory for the Philippines against Puerto Rico, they also want to prevail because a win will give them a shot at a world title in their upcoming fights.
Pinoy Power 3 will be aired live on ABS-CBN on Sunday, February 14, at 10:30 a.m.
Replays of Pinoy Power 3 will be shown on February 14 on Studio 23 at 8 p.m. and on ABS-CBN’s Sunday’s Best at 10:30 p.m. SkyCable TV’s Balls Channel will air Pinoy Power 3 on February 16 at 4 p.m. and February 18 at 9 p.m.
Source: Dyan Castillejo | abs-cbnnew.com
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