Gerry defers decision to retire

MANILA, Philippines - Two-time world boxing champion Gerry Peñalosa said the other day he hasn’t made up his mind whether or not to retire but will make an announcement in a week about his future plans.

Speaking from his Las Vegas Hilton hotel room in an overseas phonecall, Peñalosa deferred making a hasty decision after he lost a controversial split 12-round verdict to Eric Morel in an interim WBO bantamweight title bout last Saturday. He left Las Vegas for Los Angeles yesterday and will fly back to Manila today, landing on Friday.

“My dream is to retire a world champion,” said Peñalosa. “I’m no quitter. But I’m thinking about the future. I’m talking things over with my family. I’m considering my health which is important to my wife and kids. I think Morel can become a world champion someday. He has a good chance to beat (Fernando) Montiel if they fight for the WBO title. But is Morel worthy to become a world champion?”

Peñalosa said it’s not fair for Morel to challenge Montiel for the world crown because last Saturday’s outcome wasn’t conclusive. He disclosed that Freddie Roach, who worked his corner, wants a rematch.

“After the fight, I asked Freddie what he thinks is next for me, what he wants me to do,” said Peñalosa. “He told me I won the fight and he wants a rematch. Even if we ask for a rematch, I don’t think Morel will agree to fight me again. Why will he take a chance on me?”


Peñalosa said if not for the cuts he suffered from headbutts, the fight would’ve had a more decisive conclusion. Morel’s headbutts opened two cuts on both Peñalosa’s eyebrows. Peñalosa said two of the four cuts had to be closed with four stitches each in the hospital.

“The cuts weren’t that deep but the blood was bothering my vision,” said Peñalosa. “I wanted to pressure Morel a lot more especially when he started to slow down midway in the fight. I think I controlled the fight in the late rounds and hurt him with body shots. But because of the blood, I couldn’t go all out. I had to fight a little defensively.”

Peñalosa said despite the handicap, he refused to quit. “When the ringside doctor examined me a second time, he asked if I could see clearly,” he related. “I told him I couldn’t see too much but I could still fight.”

Peñalosa insisted none of Morel’s blows had a major impact.

“I can take his power,” said Peñalosa. “His power wasn’t the problem. It was my cuts. I could see his first punch coming but because of the blood entering my eyes, I couldn’t see his follow-up so I had difficulty countering. I had to cover up more than I wanted to because I couldn’t see where his second punches were coming from.”

Peñalosa said he trained hard for the fight and it showed down the stretch.

“My stamina was good,” he continued. “I never got tired. I think I was fresher than him in the end. If ever we fight again, I’ll pressure him from the start. My mistake was I let him get an early lead then when I got cut, I fought defensively and became erratic with my offense.”

Peñalosa said he hasn’t discussed the future with promoter Bob Arum.

“We haven’t talked,” said Peñalosa, referring to the Top Rank chief executive officer. “But I spoke with my manager Billy (Keane, Roach’s best friend). Billy told me he’ll abide by whatever decision I make. Billy feels that if I’m still hungry, if I still want to win the title badly, I should go on. If you’re hungry, you’ll have the discipline to train hard. But if you’ve lost the will to win, then it’s time to retire.”

Source: Joaquin Henson  | Philstar.com

Gerry Penalosa Will Likely Continue To Fight On

Former two division world champion Gerry Penalosa may be a veteran at 37 years of age but despite another painful setback on the threshold of one more title shot, the gallant southpaw appropriately nicknamed "Fearless" clearly finds it hard to quit the sport he loves with a passion.

Penalosa lost a split decision to former world champion Eric Morel of Puerto Rico in a WBO title eliminator that was to give the winner a crack at champion Fernando "Cochulito" Montiel of Mexico.

Montiel was pitted against inexperienced and patently overmatched Filipino Ciso "Kid Terrible" Morales whose 14-0, 8 KO record meant nothing when ranged against Montiel's 39-2-2, 29 KOs slate.

In a conversation hours after the fight and a trip to the hospital to check on his badly battered left eye which was almost totally shut due to an accidental head-butt while his right eye was less damaged also by a head-butt, Penalosa told us he thought he had won which was the view shared by trainer Freddie Roach who worked Penalosa's corner with Manny Pacquiao's conditioning expert Alex Ariza.

Pacquiao who watched the fights with his lovely wife Jinkee told the ABS-CBN television panel composed of Dyan Castillejo and this reporter he felt Penalosa won by at least 7 rounds to 5 .

The head-butts in rounds six and seven almost closed Penalosa's left eye even as blood kept streaming down but when the ring doctor during a break to check him out asked Gerry whether he could see he replied "I can't see but I want to fight" underscoring the gallantry of the Filipino.

Penalosa conceded that he lost the early rounds but turned things around beginning the middle rounds and hurt Morel with some solid body shots in rounds eight and nine as he pressured the Puerto Rican who was breathing heavily.

Penalosa continued to stalk Morel who kept running as the Filipino southpaw kept hammering away. His eye almost shut Penalosa fought furiously in rounds eleven and twelve but apparently hadn't done enough in the eyes of the judges and lost another controversial split decision which made it harder for him to decide whether or not to hang up his gloves.

Penalosa said he wants to spend more time with his charming wife Goody and their two children and will discuss his future with his wife and family before making a decision.

While he knows he can help promising young fighters Penalosa said "it will be easier to help them if I am a champion."

Source: Ronnie Nathanielsz  | BoxingScene.com

Ref says Gerry was robbed

MANILA, Philippines - Veteran international referee Bruce McTavish said yesterday he scored it 115-113 for Gerry Peñalosa in his interim WBO bantamweight title fight against Eric Morel and couldn’t understand how the San Carlos City southpaw lost a split 12-round decision at the Las Vegas Hilton last weekend.

McTavish, who has worked in over 100 world title bouts, said Morel got off to a strong start but Peñalosa clearly controlled the action in the last six rounds. He added that referee Russell Mora should’ve penalized Morel at least a point for repeated holding.

“Morel was warned three or four times for holding,” said McTavish. “If you’re the referee, you deduct a point after the third warning or else why issue a warning in the first place? I thought he did a good job except for the holding.”

McTavish noted that under WBO rules, it isn’t mandatory to deduct a point from a fighter who inflicts a cut on his opponent with an accidental headbutt. However, it is mandatory under WBC rules outside of the US.

“In a WBC-sanctioned bout, a fighter who cuts up an opponent with an accidental headbutt is penalized a point even if he didn’t initiate the contact,” said McTavish. “That’s because of the handicap of a cut fighter. However, the rule doesn’t apply in the US even if it’s a WBC fight. Japan opposed the WBC rule at first but eventually accepted it.”


Morel inflicted severe cuts over both Peñalosa’s eyes with headbutts, causing the Filipino visual difficulty. Twice, Mora called on the ringside physician to check on Peñalosa’s wounds. On one occasion, Peñalosa told the doctor he couldn’t see clearly but wanted to continue fighting.

Although Mora wasn’t obliged to penalize Morel for the headbutts, he should’ve at least docked a point for repeated holding, said McTavish. Morel often locked Peñalosa’s arm when they came close and even held his head down with an arm to throw a punch with his free hand.

The judges’ scoring showed a stark disparity. Duane Ford, 72, saw it 116-112 for Morel, a margin that raised a lot of eyebrows. Paul Smith, 65, had it 115-113, also for the Puerto Rican. Richard Houck dissented, scoring it 115-113 for Peñalosa, the same tally as McTavish.

If Mora penalized Morel two points for holding and other foul tactics, the fight would’ve been a split draw.

Mora has worked in only 10 world title bouts, including four in the women’s category. He was the referee when Juan Alberto Rosas pounded out a 12-round decision over Filipino Federico Catubay in Las Vegas last November. Mora’s inexperience in handling a bout between two veterans – Peñalosa is 37 and Morel, 34 – was evident last weekend.

McTavish said the loss shouldn’t be a reason for Peñalosa to retire despite his age.

Former WBC secretary-general Rudy Salud, who was once Peñalosa’s manager, left the decision to retire up to the fighter.

“My heart tells me he should stop before he gets seriously hurt,” said Salud. “But if you compare Gerry with Filipino contenders like Ciso Morales, he’s way ahead so why should he stop? He might be one small step slower but he’s still good enough to win big fights. When to quit is his decision.”

As for Peñalosa’s fight against Morel, Salud said he agreed with the decision although the four-point margin in Ford’s card was ludicrous.

“I thought Gerry lost a close fight,” said Salud. “Morel had the early lead and Gerry tried to catch up but it wasn’t enough. Gerry got in some good body shots and at one stage, Morel looked like he was going down. Gerry’s deficiency is his size. He’s short in height, reach and limbs. It’s like he has to take a shot before being able to give one back. His physical make-up is a disadvantage. He’s often shorter than his opponents and his reach is less. That’s how it was against Daniel Ponce de Leon, Juan Manuel Lopez and even In Joo Cho.”

Salud revealed that when Peñalosa was under his care, the fighter was given a $20,000 step aside fee for another contender to fight for the WBC superflyweight title and called out Morel as an interim opponent. That was about 10 years ago and Morel refused.

Peñalosa, whose cuts were stitched up in a hospital after the fight, was consoled by Manny Pacquiao’s remarks that he was robbed of a victory. Pacquiao said in his opinion, Peñalosa took at least seven rounds. But the word from Las Vegas was Peñalosa is close to making an announcement of his retirement.

Source: Joaquin Henson  | Philstar.com

Morel Says Penalosa Hurt Him, Pacquiao Claims Robbery

The new WBO interim-bantamweight champion Eric Morel is giving veteran Gerry Penalosa a lot of credit. Morel won a very close split decision over Penalosa on Saturday night at the Las Vegas Hilton.

Morel controlled most of the action in the first half of the fight. Penalosa began to break Morel down and took over the second half of the fight. Penalosa seemed to get fired up after suffering two head clashes in the sixth round that opened up bad cuts above both eyes.

Morel credits Penalosa's body work. He said Penalosa hurt him with several body shots. He thought Penalosa would get tired in the late rounds but instead it was Morel who got tired. He managed to survive by moving and boxing.

"I am a little exhausted, but we win. Penalosa is a veteran and he put a lot of pressure on me. I give him a lot of credit," Morel told El Nuevo Dia. "He hit me two or three times to the body and it really hurt me. But my lateral movement and my reach were the keys to my victory."

WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao was sitting ringside. He thought Penalosa was jobbed by the decision. He told several reporters at ringside -"Gerry won that fight. Gerry was the winner."

Source: Mark Vester  | BoxingScene.com

Pinoy Power 3: Filipinos score 3 out of 5

WBA interim superflyweight champ Nonito 'The Filipino Flash' Donaire (22W-1L, 11KO’s) knocked out challenger Manuel Vargas of Mexico in the 3rd round.
Donaire landed power shots with ease. A sharp left uppercut in the third round sent Vargas to the canvas and he stayed flat on his back for the full ten count. Official time: 1:33 of the third round.


The Mexican known as “Chango” gave up too much in height and reach. Vargas (26W-4L-1D, 11KO’s) last fought at 105 lbs. and lost a split decision to WBO minimumweight champ Donnie "Ahas" Nietes in a fight held last September in Nayarit, Mexico

Vargas was a late substitute for Gerson Guerrero, who was found to have a tear in his right eye retina during the pre-fight medical examination and was not allowed to fight.
WBO bantamweight champ Fernando Montiel (40W-2L-2D, 30 KO’s) of Mexico scored a first round knockout over Ciso Morales using a vicious left hook to the body. Official time: 2:06 of 1st.

This was only Morales’ 15th pro fight and his first career loss.

Former two time world champ Gerry Penalosa (54-8-2, 36 KOs) lost to former WBA world flyweight champ Eric “Hands of Steel” Morel (42-2, 21 KOs) in a bantamweight eliminator and the WBO interim belt. The 37 year old Penalosa had trouble catching the taller and fast moving Morel early in the fight.

Penalosa went to the body but suffered a swelling under his left eye. Penalosa found his range and started to rally in the 6th. Two headbutts opened cuts on Gerry’s face in the 7th. But Penalosa continued his rally and landed the cleaner punches.

From the ninth round onwards Morel was getting pummelled and retreating but still managed to win. The scores – 115-113 and 116-112 for Morel and 115-113 for Penalosa.

Bernabe “The Real Deal” Concepcion ( 28W (14 KO’s) – 3 L- 1 D) scored an impressive unanimous decision win over Puerto Rican Mario Santiago (21W (14KO’s) -2L-1D).

Concepcion used good lateral movement and textbook weapons against a southpaw – right hand lead and left hook. A well timed right sent Santiago crashing to the canvas in round 6.

Concepcion went on cruise control but Santiago tried to stage a late rally in the 10th and final round with low blows and tried to pin the Filipino on the ropes.The score cards read: 98-91, 97-92 and 96-93.

Concepcion has been promised another title shot against WBO featherweight champ Juan Manuel Lopez. Concepcion lost by disqualification against Steven Luevano last August in his first title shot. Luevano has since been dethroned by Lopez.

Mark Jason Melligen of the ALA Gym won by 6th round TKO over Raymond Gatica (11W (6KO’s) -1L -0) of the U.S. and handed him his first career loss. Melligen is now 17 wins with 13 KO's and 2 losses.
This fight card was held at the Las Vegas Hilton. Watching the fights and providing inspiration were Z “The Dream” Gorres and world’s best boxer Manny Pacquiao.

Source: Rene Bonsubre  | PhilBoxing

Eric Morel edges a bloody good Gerry Penalosa!

Morrel with controversial win

Former world champion Eric Morel captured the interim WBO bantamweight title with a twelve round spilt-decision over a relentless Gerry Penalosa moments ago on pay-per-view at the Las Vegas Hilton. At the opening bell Morel looked to stick and move while Penalosa took on the role of the aggressor.

The early edge went to the Puerto Rican as he appeared a bit more active but the veteran Penalosa was really sitting down on his punches when he was able to land them. The fighters appeared to trade rounds through the middle of the fight.

In Round 6 two accidental clashes of heads left Penalosa with two separate cuts which seemed to bring out a sense of urgency in him. Morel continued to box and move but Penalosa began to catch up with him a bit more often. With the bleeding clearly bothering him, the ‘Fearless’ Pinoy fighter continued to press the action as Morel looked to jab and retreat.

Penalosa used his pressure very effectively and continued walking Morel down through the championship rounds. Summoning an extra gear late in the fight Penalosa really ended the bout strong but found himself on the wrong end of a split decision.

Two judges had Morel ahead 116-112 and 115-113 while Penalosa was ahead 115-113 on the third and final card. FightFan.com had the bout scored 115-113 for Penalosa.

Source: Ace Freeman  | FightFan.com

Pinoy pugs go for broke

Pinoy Power 3/ Latin Fury 13 fighters

MANILA, Philippines - Five Filipino fighters take on dangerous opponents in crossroads bouts at the Las Vegas Hilton this morning (Manila time) with the rewards far outweighing the risks if they pull off convincing wins.

But it won’t be easy for Nonito Donaire Jr., Gerry Peñalosa, Ciso Morales, Bernabe Concepcion and Mark Jason Melligen who are seeing action in a blockbuster card billed “Latin Fury 13/Pinoy Power 3” staged by Top Rank.

Donaire, 27, stakes his interim WBA superflyweight crown against Mexico’s Manuel (Chango) Vargas, a late replacement for original challenger Gerson Guerrero who was scratched with a detached retina in the right eye last Wednesday.

“I’ve always been prepared to fight anybody,” Donaire told espn.com. “I can adapt to any changes. I am ready for anybody. Whomever they put in, so be it. As long as I get to fight, I’m happy.”

Donaire offered to move up the limit to 118 pounds to accommodate a bigger opponent until Vargas was picked over former WBO superflyweight titlist Jose (Carita) Lopez and Hugo Ruiz. Vargas, 28, has a 26-4-1 record, with 11 KOs, and is coming off a loss by split decision to Filipino Donnie Nietes in a bid for the WBO minimumweight crown last September. The Mexican got the nod to tangle with Donaire because he was in shape for another bout this weekend.


Donaire is in line to battle WBA and WBC unified superflyweight titlist Vic Darchinyan in a rematch or newly crowned WBO champion Jorge Arce so he can’t afford to lose to Vargas. He’s just a win away from sealing a crack for a second world crown.

In Donaire’s corner for the bout will be former IBF superfeatherweight titleholder Robert Garcia, Jonathan Peñalosa and conditioning coach Mike Bazzel of the Undisputed Gym.

Peñalosa, 37, vowed to go all out for a knockout against former WBA flyweight and IBA superflyweight champion Eric (Little Hands of Steel) Morel of Puerto Rico in a 12-round duel for the interim WBO bantamweight diadem. He said losing isn’t an option.

Morel, 34, has won six in a row since coming back from a two-year prison stay for sexually assaulting an unconscious 15-year-old girl in an apartment. Known as a defensive stylist, Morel will use his 2 1/2-inch height advantage and a glaring five-inch edge in reach to frustrate Peñalosa. The 1996 Olympian said he is dedicating the fight to his fiancée Francisca Padilla and his two daughters Janessa, 13, and Jalyssa, 7, who kept the faith throughout his imprisonment.

Brushing aside talk of retirement, Peñalosa said after disposing of Morel, he will challenge WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel who defends the 118-pound belt against the Bohol-born Morales on the same card. But that depends on whether Montiel repulses Morales.

Montiel, 30, is a former WBO flyweight and two-time superflyweight titlist who looked shaky in escaping with a technical decision over Alejandro Valdez last September. The Mexican was supposed to face Z Gorres in a rematch but with the Filipino recovering from brain surgery, he chose to meet Morales instead of experienced warrior Michael Domingo. In 2007, Montiel scored a split 12-round decision over Gorres to retain the WBO 115-pound title in Cebu City. Gorres will be at ringside to watch the card as Donaire’s special guest. He is set to fly back to Cebu on Tuesday with wife Daches after surviving his ordeal.

Morales, 22, has a 14-0 record, with eight KOs, compared to Montiel’s 39-2-2, with 29 KOs. Youth will be on his side but unless he overpowers Montiel, Morales may not be able to outbox the slick Mexican who is tipped to win on points. In Morales’ corner will be Donaire’s father Dodong.

Concepcion, 22, will square off against Puerto Rican southpaw Mario Santiago in a featherweight showdown. The Virac, Catanduanes, contender is determined to earn another world title shot after blowing his chance in a loss to then WBO featherweight champion Steven Luevano on a seventh round disqualification in Las Vegas last August.

What could stymie Concepcion is Santiago’s five-inch reach advantage. Santiago, 31, held Luevano to a split draw in their own title bout in 2008 and is as ready as Concepcion to win. His only defeat was a technical decision to one-time Manny Pacquiao victim Hector Velazquez. Santiago, 31, boasts a 21-1-1 record, with 14 KOs, while Concepcion’s mark is 27-3-1, with 15 KOs.

Melligen, 23, is booked against Texan Raymond Gatica in an eight-rounder. The Bacolod City welterweight hopes to bounce back from a split decision loss to Mexico’s Michel Rosales in Las Vegas last November. Before the defeat, Melligen had won 10 straight, seven by KO. It will be his sixth US outing.

Gatica, 25, is unbeaten with an 11-0 record, including six KOs, compared to Melligen’s 16-2, with 12 KOs. He ended a 17-month layoff to halt Julio Perez in the fourth round last December.

“Melligen is in a must-win situation,” said ALA stable owner Tony Aldeguer. “If he loses, Top Rank will drop him like a hot potato. He can’t afford to lose this fight and he knows it.”

For the five Filipino fighters, it’s a do-or-die mission. That’s why they’re expected to pull out all the stops in what could be the fight of their lives.

Source: Joaquin Henson  | Philstar.com

Filipino boxers aim for sweep in ‘Pinoy Power 3’

Donaire headlines Pinoy Power 3

Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire, Bernabe Concepcion, Ciso Morales, and Gerry Peñalosa will be engaged in an all-out war on Valentine's Day.

The Filipino boxers are hoping for a sweep in "Pinoy Power III" which will be held Saturday (Sunday in Manila ). All of them made the weight Friday at the Hilton Hotel in Las Vegas for their respective fights.

Donaire will defend his WBA super flyweight interim champion title against Manuel Vargas of Mexico .

"I'm really committed in just going for it and not thinking about all the other stuff," Donaire said.

Donaire, The Ring Magazine's Top 6 pound-for-pound boxer, dominated Mexican Raul Martinez in April 2009, and outpointed Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion" of Panama 3 months later.

Donaire (22-1-0, 14KOs) weighed in at 115 pounds while Vargas (34-8-0, 26KOs) came in at 114 pounds.

Meanwhile, Bernabe Concepcion is ready to get back on track after a heartbreaking disqualification in the previous "Pinoy Power" last August due to a late blow he threw against Steven Luevano.

Concepcion, who trained hard at the Wild Card Gym for his fight against Mario Santiago, aims to follow the footsteps of his manager Manny Pacquiao.

"It's great to be training with him. When we get to share the ring, he teaches me footwork and gives me tips in fighting," Concepcion said.



Concepcion (27-3-1, 15 KOs) weighed in at 126 pounds while the Puerto Rican Santiago (21-1-1, 14 KOs ) came in at 126 pounds.

Ring veteran Gerry Peñalosa also takes inspiration from Pacquiao, his friend and idol.

Peñalosa (54-7-2, 36 KOs) came in at 118 pounds while his opponent, Puerto Rican Eric Morel (41-2-0, 21 KOs ), weighed 117 pounds.

The 37-year-old Filipino is confident he can still win his third belt by first defeating Morel in the elimination fight.

Undefeated Ciso "Kid Terrible" Morales, on the other hand, is fighting for his first title as he challenges Fernando "Cochulito" Montiel for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight championship.

Morales (14-0-0, 8 KOs ), who has dedicated his fight to fallen boxer Z Gorres, weighed 118 pounds. Reigning champ Montiel also came in at 118.

Also fighting in the undercard is Filipino Mark Melligen (16-2-0, 12 KOs ), who will battle undefeated Texan Raymond Gatica (11-0-0).

Watch the Filipino boxers' quest for glory on ABS-CBN Sports' "Pinoy Power 3" on Sunday (Feb 14), 10:30 am on ABS-CBN with a delayed telecast on Studio 23 at 11:30am.

Those with cable TV can catch "Pinoy Power 3" on Balls Skycable Ch. 34 on February 16 at 4 pm and February 18 at 9 pm.

Source: Author Unknown  | abs-cbnnew.com

Morel a tough hurdle for Peñalosa

MANILA, Philippines - Former WBA flyweight and IBA superflyweight champion Eric Morel, a registered sex offender who was imprisoned for assaulting an unconscious 15-year-old girl, stands in the way of veteran Gerry Peñalosa’s path to end his career with a flourish.

Peñalosa, 37, dreams of retiring a world titlist and battles Morel for the interim WBO bantamweight crown at the Las Vegas Hilton tonight (tomorrow morning, Manila). “Losing is not an option,” said Peñalosa yesterday. “I’m not thinking of what to do if I lose because I won’t lose. I’m going for a knockout. After beating Morel, I’ll challenge (Fernando) Montiel for the WBO bantamweight title if he defeats Ciso Morales.”

Montiel’s defense against the Bohol-born Morales is on the same “Latin Fury 13/Pinoy Power 3” card as the Peñalosa-Morel bout. Also in the lineup are three other Filipinos – Nonito Donaire Jr. who stakes his interim WBA superflyweight crown against late substitute Mexico’s Manuel (Chango) Vargas (original challenger Gerson Guerrero was pulled out after doctors confirmed a detached retina in his right eye), Bernabe Concepcion who takes on Puerto Rico’s Mario Santiago and Mark Jason Melligen who faces unbeaten Texan Raymond Gatica.

Peñalosa’s wife Goody, who is in Las Vegas, said she’s confident of victory. “I’m not scared,” she said. “Gerry’s in good condition. Everything, we entrust to the Lord. Morel is bigger and taller but he’s fighting in Gerry’s legitimate weight division.”

At a press conference the other day, Peñalosa and Morel were civil towards each other. Peñalosa told Morel, “may the better man win” but got a dead-pan reaction. Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, presiding in the conference, described Peñalosa as one of the best fighters he’s ever seen and introduced him as Manny Pacquiao’s mentor. Morel, one of seven children, learned how to box from his father Cirilo when he was eight. He patterned his style after Sugar Ray Leonard and Hector Camacho, relying more on skill than power to carve out an amateur record of 124-14. One of his losses was to Floyd Mayweather for the 106-pound US Golden Gloves title in Arkansas in 1993. Mayweather and Morel were on the US Olympic team in Atlanta in 1996.


“Floyd and Eric are not exactly bosom buddies but have been good friends over the years and have a mutual respect for each other,” said Morel’s former trainer Bob Lynch. “In many ways, they are very similar. Eric has an incredible inner drive. You could give him King Kong as an opponent and he’d accept it.”

Morel got his nickname “Little Hands of Steel” from Olympic teammate Lawrence Clay-Bey after knocking out a sparmate and shattering his eardrum. Since turning pro in 1996, Morel has scored 21 KOs, including eight in the first round, in compiling a record of 41-2. His only losses were decisions to Venezuelan Lorenzo Parra and Mexican Martin Castillo.

Morel’s recuperative ability was showcased when he survived three trips to the canvas to halt Ysaias Zamudio in 1999. He was also dropped by Parra with a right hook to the head in the third round, got up and went the distance in losing the WBA flyweight crown on his sixth defense in Puerto Rico in 2003.

Morel’s career has been interrupted by brushes with the law. He fought only once in 2001 because of two drunk-driving violations and another rap for resisting arrest. But the worst incident was when he was sentenced to two years in prison and two years of extended supervision for sexually assaulting a teenager. Morel changed his plea from not guilty to no contest then was convicted of second degree sexual assault by circuit county judge William Foust in 2005. He was released in 2007 and staged a comeback the next year to rack up six wins in a row, including a decision over Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista tormentor Heriberto Ruiz.

Now, Morel, who has worked as a cleaner and a front-desk checker in a hotel, is refocused on his career. He is dedicating the fight against Peñalosa to his fiancée Francisca Padilla and daughters Janessa, 13, and Jalyssa, 7.

“I want to prove a point,” said Morel, quoted by Lem Satterfield of boxing.fanhouse.com. “I’m going to surprise a lot of people. I’m going to do a lot of things that boxers haven’t done to Gerry.”

Morel said after losing to Juan Manuel Lopez in a bid for the WBO superbantamweight crown last April, Peñalosa should’ve retired. “I saw the effects of Gerry fighting a bigger, stronger man,” he said. “And if I see myself fighting like that, I would definitely consider retirement. How is he going to react to my speed and my movement? That’s going to be a different story. Is he going to be ready for the fight? I’m sure that he will be. I’m hoping that he will be because it’s going to be a long night.”

Morel said he has learned his lessons from the past and won’t make the same mistakes again.

“The Eric Morel of today is smarter, a better boxer, more dedicated, more focused, and hungrier,” he said. “I don’t go out and party any more. I’m dedicated to my family and my sport. I’m more into my business, which is my family and my boxing. That’s what I eat, sleep, think. Everything reflects on my family.”

Morel is 2 1/2 inches taller than Peñalosa and enjoys a huge five-inch reach advantage.

Peñalosa made his pro debut in 1989, seven years before Morel, and has compiled a 54-7-2 record, with 36 KOs. Even as he lost to Lopez in his last bout, Peñalosa was hailed by Ring Magazine for never going down and given the “Jake LaMotta Cast Iron Chin Anvil” award. Peñalosa wanted to continue fighting but trainer Freddie Roach insisted on throwing in the towel as Lopez, exploiting his size edge, was in control of the fight and inflicting heavy damage.

Source: Joaquin Henson  | Philstar.com

One Last Run for Penalosa

Back in April, Gerry Penalosa was conclusively defeated by Juan Manuel Lopez in an attempt to win the Puerto Rican’s WBO super bantamweight title. After nine, mostly one-sided rounds, his trainer, Freddie Roach had seen enough.

And if it were up to Roach, it would have been the last time Penalosa would have ever fought professionally, in a career that spans 63 fights and began in 1989.

But alas, Penalosa faces Eric Morel this Saturday night at the Las Vegas Hilton for the interim WBO bantamweight title as part of Top Rank’s “Latin Fury/Pinoy Power” pay-per-view card.

"I felt it was the right time for him [to retire]," Roach said this past Saturday afternoon from his Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood. "Gerry pleaded with me. I gave him one more chance. He said he was going back down to his weight class where he belongs. The Morel fight was put together, I said, ’OK, Gerry, you fight Morel, he’s not a big puncher. If you can beat him, get you a title fight, then that’s it. Win, lose or draw, we’re going to call it a day.’ He said OK."

But Penalosa, 54-7-2 (36), says that retiring after the loss to “JuanMa” never entered his mind. "No, no, no. I love this sport so much," he said after his workout at the Wild Card on Saturday. "I know I’m the king of 118, at bantamweight, so I had to go back. Nobody can beat me at this weight."

What was clearly evident was that he certainly wasn’t going to beat Lopez, who was simply too young, fresh, talented, and ultimately, too big and strong for the Filipino.

"Yeah, he was just too big. The thing is, he was too big for me. 122 is not my weight," he agreed. Penalosa landed some clean counter right hooks, but he simply couldn’t shake the gifted Lopez. "I hit him hard but I don’t think he felt it. So I told myself, ’Oh, he’s too big for me. 122 is not my weight.’"

Roach says, "Gerry’s really not a ’22-pounder and never was.. Size really was the difference in that fight. He just couldn’t hurt that guy and he did hit him some good shots and Gerry’s a pretty good puncher. He was just way too big for him by fight time." After the ninth frame, Roach threw in the towel. He was hopelessly behind on all three scorecards and he didn’t possess the pop to turn the tide, there really was no good reason to continue.

"Personally, I wanted to fight," said Penalosa. "I was waiting for the exact time but I trust Freddie so much. When Freddie said no in the seventh round, I said, ’Gimme one more round, coach.’ In the ninth round, he said, ’Gerry, I’m stopping the fight.’ I told him I respect whatever decision you make.’"

As you see Penalosa work mitts with Roach and hit the heavy bag, you see the consummate, skilled professional he is. Before there was a Manny Pacquiao, there was Penalosa.

"He’s very smart, very clever," Roach says of his old pro. "I asked Manny the other day, ’Who’s a better boxer, you or Gerry?’ He said Gerry is. Gerry is the best boxer from the Philippines, technique-wise. But he’s getting up there in age."

He still looks very good as he does his floor work, but then, everyone looks pretty good when facing air. "I saw him get shook in sparring, one day," said Roach, of a recent session with the Cuban phenom, Guillermo Rigondeaux. "I was a little concerned because I don’t think he’s quite taking the shots he used to. But Rigondeaux can punch, though."

The 37-year old southpaw stylist says he still has the same zeal for the sport he did as a younger practitioner of the sport.

"Yeah, I really love this sport. I love it. Being in the gym, I love it. This is my passion," said Penalosa, who unlike his older brother, will not get into the business of training fighters. "No, I don’t think I have the patience," he says, laughing.

Helping matters in this upcoming fight is that Morel, himself, is 34 years old and not exactly the most aggressive fighter you’ll ever see.

"I don’t think he comes forward. I think he just runs, he’s not that good, compared to Lopez or the one that I fought before [German Meraz]. No way, no way," is Penalosa’s assessment of Morel, 41-2 (21). Old legs are much more effective coming forward than backing up, which may occur against Morel. "I think so, I think that’s what Freddie wants me to do.. That’s what I want to do," he says of being aggressive. "I don’t know if he will run that much. I don’t think people want to see a boring fight. So I expect him to come forward so it’s a good fight."

But regardless, if the man in his corner does not like what he sees on Saturday, he will not hesitate to have a quick hook.

"100-percent," said Roach, "because I won’t let him get hurt and if I don’t see what I want to see out there happening, I will pull him out. Gerry respects me enough that he won’t go somewhere else, he will retire."

Source: Steve Kim  | MaxBoxing.com

Peñalosa going for knockout vs Morel

MANILA, Philippines - Two-time world champion Gerry Peñalosa, nearing the end of a 20-year career, said yesterday he’s going all out for a knockout win over Puerto Rican ex-convict Eric (Little Hands of Steel) Morel in their interim WBO bantamweight title fight at the Hilton in Las Vegas on Feb. 13.

Peñalosa, 37, is coming off a late technical knockout loss to newly-crowned WBO featherweight titlist Juan Manuel Lopez in Puerto Rico last April and won’t rest until he captures another belt. What’s in his sights is the WBO bantamweight championship now held by Mexico’s Fernando Montiel who stakes his diadem against unbeaten Ciso Morales of Talibon, Bohol, and Cagayan de Oro in another fight on the same “Latin Fury 13/Pinoy Power 3” card staged by Top Rank.

In all, five Filipinos are seeing action in the Hilton show. Aside from Peñalosa and Morales, others are Bohol’s Nonito Donaire, Jr. who will defend his interim WBA superflyweight title against dangerous Mexican Gerson Guerrero, Virac featherweight Bernabe Concepcion who will battle rangy Puerto Rican Mario Santiago and Bacolod welterweight Mark Jason Melligen who will face undefeated Texan Raymond Gatica.

Peñalosa moved up to superbantamweight to challenge Lopez but was overpowered by the bigger Puerto Rican. Trainer Freddie Roach waved it off in the 10th round despite Peñalosa’s courageous pleading to go on. Now, Peñalosa is back in his natural weight division, determined to regain the throne he relinquished to meet Lopez. His goal is to retire a world champion.

“I’m doing perfectly fine,” said Peñalosa in a text from Los Angeles yesterday. “Morel is good but I know I will do better. I intend to win by knockout. It’s all in God’s hands.”


Peñalosa trained for Morel at the Wild Card Gym and confirmed that Roach will be in his corner for the fight.

Asked if he will challenge Montiel if the Mexican repulses Morales, Peñalosa declined to speculate. His future plans depend on how he fares against Morel. And if Morales upsets Montiel, it’s not likely Peñalosa will tangle with his countryman.

At the moment, Peñalosa said his only concern is Morel.

“I’m not really thinking of my next opponent yet,” said Peñalosa who turned pro in 1989 and held the WBC superflyweight title until losing it to In Joo Cho in his fourth defense in 1998. “My focus is just on Morel at first.”

Peñalosa’s wife Goody, who is also in Los Angeles staying with her sisters and brother in a room adjacent to her husband’s at the Vagabond Inn near the Wild Card Gym, said she’s praying for a convincing win.

“Gerry trains so hard and is very focused,” she said. “We don’t usually give any comments about his opponent until after the fight. He is so excited and in excellent condition.”

Morel, 34, is a former WBA flyweight and IBA superflyweight titlist. The 1996 Olympian has won his last six outings, three by knockout, and has a record of 41-2, with 21 KOs, compared to Peñalosa’s 54-7-2, with 36 KOs.

In 2005, Morel was imprisoned after a conviction for sexually assaulting a 15-year-old girl. He was released three years later and staged a comeback in 2008, winning six in a row to set up the fight against Peñalosa.

A gutsy boxer-puncher, Morel survived three knockdowns to stop Ysaias Zamudo in the seventh round in a Grand Rapids brawl in 1999, displaying his remarkable resiliency.

Montiel, 30, is a former WBO flyweight and two-time superflyweight champion with a 39-2-2 record, including 29 KOs. Last September, he was lucky to escape with a technical decision over Alejandro Valdez.

In 2007, Montiel was in Cebu City to defend his WBO superflyweight crown against Z Gorres and barely won on a split 12-round decision.

Gorres, recovering from brain surgery, will be at ringside to witness his tormentor in action. Donaire gave two ringside tickets, an elegant Valentine’s Day dinner treat and a share of his purse in the Guerrero fight to Gorres and his wife Daches.

Gorres is slowly returning to normalcy but his left arm and left leg remain limp. He is undergoing rehabilitation and ALA Boxing Gym owner Tony Aldeguer said recently his improvement is steady. Gorres and his wife will likely fly home next month. He underwent brain surgery after a fight against Luis Melendez in Las Vegas last November.

Morales, 22, is trained by Donaire’s father Dodong and is fresh from a majority eight-round win on points over Miguel Angel Gonzalez Piedras in Ontario last November. His record is 14-0, with eight KOs, including three in the first round.

Source: Joaquin Henson  | Philstar.com

Peñalosa, Concepcion gear for Pinoy Power 3

LOS ANGELES, California – Gerry Peñalosa is in his final days of hard training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles preparing for a fight in Las Vegas in Nevada.

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

Arum Says Penalosa, Morales Looking Very Good

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum says the Filipino fighters on the “Pinoy Power III/Latin Fury fight card at the Las Vegas Hilton on February 13 look “unbelievable."

Arum who visited the Wild Card Gym earlier in the week and watched former two-division world champion Gerry Penalosa and world-rated featherweight Bernabe Concepcion work out said that besides WBA Interim super flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire who battles hard-hitting Mexican Gerson Guerrero “they are all looking good. Concepcion, Manny (who defends his title against Joshua Clottey in Dallas on March 13) and Penalosa all looked unbelievable.”

Donaire who headlines the fight card that features five Filipinos in action held a media day in his training camp at the Undefeated Gym in San Carlos before a large turnout underscoring his popularity as one of the most skilled fighters in the lower weight divisions and the next big name among Filipinos behind the one and only Manny Pacquiao.

Donaire who leaves for Las Vegas on Monday (Manila Time) told us that he feels “really good and am really ready. This time I feel very, very confident.”

He said he and trainer Robert Garcia who has joined him in his training camp after flying home from Manila where he worked the corner of IBF light flyweight champion Brian Viloria who put up a gallant stand but lost his title to Carlos Tamara of Colombia by a 12th round TKO last Saturday, said they had watched some tapes of his Mexican opponent Gerson Guerrero and noted that he was “a very strong fighter but leaves himself open a few times and is something we can take advantage of.”

Asked about reports that his left hook was looking particularly devastatng Donaire responded, “my left hook is always looking deadly and my speed is coming up and that’s what made it look more deadly sparring with these guys and my right hand is also effective.”

Donaire has been sparring with Nicaraguan Randy Caballero, Mexican Eric Manriquez and another young fighter, all three of whom he described as “up and coming guys showing a lot of speed and a lot of energy and I have to keep up with the energy so I have brought my energy back up.”

Garcia told us he was particularly impressed with Donaire’s footwork saying “he’s doing pretty good” while overall he is “doing perfect and his movement from side to side makes him even stronger.”

The trainer indicated that there are some “possible big fights” on the horizon especially after Jorge Arce won the WBC super flyweight title with a 7th round TKO over Indonesia’s Angky Angkota in Mexico on Sunday, Vic Darchinyan who has called out Donaire more than once and received a positive response from the “Filipino Flash” saying “anytime, anywhere” and WBO bantamweight champion Fernando Montiel who defends his title against promising Filipino Ciso “Kid Terrible” Morales on the “Pinoy Power III” card that will be telecast in the Philippines by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN.

Source: Ronnie Nathanielsz  | BoxingScene.com

Peñalosa, Concepcion seek comeback in Pinoy Power 3

LOS ANGELES, California -- Former world champion Gerry Peñalosa and fellow Filipino boxer Bernabe Concepcion both have something to prove in their upcoming bout in Top Rank's Pinoy Power card at the Hilton Las Vegas on February 13 (February 14 in Manila).

Ask Peñalosa and he'll tell you he still feels young.

Despite being a 37-year-old in a punishing sport, Peñalosa doesn't want to hear the word retirement.

"I really love boxing. As long as people want to see me fight, I can give honor to my country. And I always do," he said.

After 63 fights, 57 of which were wins, 3 world titles, Peñalosa is in the last legs of his 20-year career. He wants one more title shot.

At a recent workout at the Wild Card, he still looked every bit like a title contender.

On February 13 at the Hilton in Las Vegas, Peñalosa will have another chance.

Peñalosa fights Eric Morel for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight title eliminator.

He feels confident about his match against Morel.

"Eric Morel is a technician. He has speed and power but you know we're better than him," said Peñalosa.

Also training at the Wild Card is one of the up-and-coming fighters of Pinoy boxing.

Bernabe Concepcion was once thought of as a can't-miss-prospect. But now, he hopes to rebound from an embarrassing disqualification in his last fight, a title fight.

He said his loss to Steven Luevano was because he wasn't aggressive enough

"Now I learned from that fight that I have to fight from the very beginning," he said.

His trainer Buboy Fernandez agrees but added that he wants to make sure Concepcion learns from his previous mistake

"For this fight, we want him to do more head movement and aggressiveness," he said.

On February 13, Concepcion will try to redeem himself when he fights against Mario Santiago while Peñalosa will try to turn back time so he can have another shot at a world title.

Pinoy Power 3, which will be aired by ABS-CBN in the Philippines, also headlines Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire vs Mexico’s Gerson “El Nene” Guerrero for the interim World Boxing Association super flyweight title, and Ciso “Kid Terrible” Morales versus Fernando Montiel for the WBO bantamweight crown.

Source: Author Unknown  | abs-cbnnews.com

Donaire and Co. picks up training tempo for Pinoy Power 3

World interim super flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire and his fellow Filipino boxers fighting in Pinoy Power 3 are picking up their pace in training for their February 13 (February 14 in Manila) fight date.

Aside from Donaire, other Filipino boxers lined up to fight in Pinoy Power 3 are former world champion Gerry “Fearless” Peñalosa and Bernabe “Kamaong Llave” Concepcion.

Donaire told PhilBoxing.com that he sparred with Nicaraguan Randy Caballero and Mexican Eric Manriquez in preparation against Mexico’s hard-hitting Gerson “El Nene” Guerrero.

The Filipino Flash currently trains at the “Undefeated Gym” in San Carlos, California and is just 5 pounds over the super flyweight limit.

“That’s why I feel pretty good, my weights on and I am really ready,” he said.

Peñalosa, meanwhile, trains at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles for his clash with Mexican Eric Morel.



“Eric Morel is a tactician he has speed but you know we are better than him,” he said in Filipino.

Peñalosa, a 3-time world champion, said the Mexican will be his ticket towards another world title shot.

Concepcion, for his part, sees Pinoy Power 3 as an opportunity to redeem himself from the controversial disqualification loss to Steven Luevano last year.

Kamaong Llave also trains in Wild Card for his fight against Puerto Rican Mario Santiago.

Source: Author Unknown  | abs-cbnnew.com