Boxing: One more time for Pe
June 2, 2009 1:28 pm
MANILA, June 2 — Former World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion Gerry Peñalosa at 36 years old wants just one more shot for a crown before finally hanging up his gloves.
What's more he wants to go back to his comfort zone, the 118 lbs division, no more, no less.
Beaten by Juan Manuel Lopez more than a month ago for the super bantamweight diadem, Peñalosa wants to fight the winner of the June 27 encounter between Fernando Montiel and Erik Morel in New Jersey for the title he vacated.
“I want the winner of that fight. And if I win, then I can retire as a champion. That's what I want to do,” said Peñalosa in Tuesday's PSA Forum at Shakey's UN Avenue.
A lot of people, including members of his family and his dear friend, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, are calling on Peñalosa to retire, saying he has nothing more to prove in the brutal sport.
“I would like to thank all the people who show concern for me. But I am asking for one more fight. Win or lose, I will retire after that fight. And I want that fight to take place in the Philippines,” said Peñalosa.
Peñalosa proved too small for Lopez, and took a severe beating as the fighter from Puerto Rico landed 421 power punches before trainer Freddie Roach called for the stoppage after nine rounds.
“Lopez was too big for me. I felt his punches. But I hope he wasn't lying after the fight when he said he felt my punches, too. I was the underdog but I gave it my best. I trained hard for that fight,” he said in the session sponsored by Shakey’s, Accel, PAGCOR and Outlast Battery.
He is hoping that Roach will understand his feeling, and hoped that the American will train him in his farewell fight.
“Coach Freddie told me after the Lopez fight that I'm too small at 122 lb. and so I want to fight Montiel or Morel at 118. That will be my last fight. And I'm not going to fight just for the money,” Peñalosa said.
Whoever wins between Montiel and Morel will have 90 days to defend the crown, and Peñalosa is keeping his fingers crossed he could get that fight.
A fight with Montiel, who defeated Filipino Z Gorres last year, is what he's looking at.
“I'd like to get that fight so I can avenge the loss of Gorres. And I want it staged in our country so for one more time I can fight before my countrymen. If I win the crown, then I will retire as the champion,” he added.
Peñalosa also talked about Pacquiao's next fight, possibly against WBA welterweight champion Shane Mosley.
“It will be a big challenge for Manny if he fights Mosley at 144 lb. But if that happens, I'm sure Manny will give his best,” said Peñalosa. (PNA) vcs/LOR
Comments