Gerry Peñalosa

Gerry Peñalosa

Peñalosa in 2008
Statistics
Real name Geronimo Peñalosa
Nickname(s) Fearless
Rated at Bantamweight
Super flyweight
Height 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Reach 65 in (165 cm)
Nationality Filipino
Born (1972-08-07) August 7, 1972
San Carlos City,
Negros Occidental,
Philippines
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights 65
Wins 55
Wins by KO 37
Losses 8
Draws 2

Geronimo "Gerry" Peñalosa (born August 7, 1972) is a Filipino former professional boxer. He won the WBC super flyweight and WBO bantamweight titles, as well as challenged for world titles at super bantamweight. Originally from San Carlos City, he currently resides in Manila. He was trained mostly by Freddie Roach, and went on to become a boxing trainer himself after retirement. Peñalosa's older brother, Dodie Boy Peñalosa, is also a former boxer and world champion.

Fighting style

A very good defensive boxer and a counter-puncher, Peñalosa was knocked down once in his career by Young Joo Cho at 2:45 of the first round. According to Freddie Roach and other Filipino boxing analysts, Peñalosa is the best technical boxer that ever came from the Philippines.[1] His intelligence and excellent footwork is seen in every fight.[2]

Boxing career

Before turning professional in 1989, he had an amateur career of 27-0.

Professional career

Early years at flyweight

Peñalosa turned professional in 1989. He made his debut against Fidel Jubay on May 20, 1989, and won the bout by knockout.

Super flyweight

He captured the WBC super flyweight title with a decision win over Hiroshi Kawashima on 27 February 1997 and has defended the title three times since then.

He later lost it on points to In-Joo Cho on 29 August 1998. Two years later, he had a rematch with Cho to regain the title but again lost by controversial unanimous decision.

Retirement and comeback

On 24 September 2001, he challenged Masamori Tokuyama who then succeeded Cho in being the WBC super flyweight champion. However, he lost by another controversial split decision. The two fought again on 20 December 2002 but the result was the same, in Tokuyama's favor. Peñalosa temporarily retired that year.

Peñalosa returned to boxing two years later. He defeated Bangsaen Sithpraprom for the World Boxing Foundation (WBFo) super flyweight title on 7 November 2004.

Super bantamweight

On 17 March 2007, he took on Daniel Ponce de León who then held the WBO super bantamweight title. In the fight, Peñalosa displayed his intelligence, excellent boxing skills and defensive abilities. De León who is a knockout artist could not land a clear punch on Penalosa. Penalosa answered with stinging counters that frustrated De Leon. Although De Leon was the busier boxer, most of his punches landed in the air and on Penalosa's gloves. However, De Leon won via unanimous decision.

Return at bantamweight

Capturing the WBO title

On August 11, 2007, the veteran Filipino boxer took on Jhonny González of Mexico for the WBO bantamweight title at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California, California.[3] Peñalosa went down in weight and dethroned the Mexican fighter at the 7th round.

The younger fighter appeared to be in control of the match in the early rounds, as he skillfully kept the much shorter Peñalosa away with crisp jabs. Peñalosa stayed patient and continued to walk forward even though he is getting hit by some of the Mexican's punches. In the seventh round, Peñalosa got an opportunity, when Gonzales launched a strong right that missed Peñalosa head. Gonzalez failed to pull his arm back quickly and at that short moment, leaving a hole for the veteran fighter, who then threw a precise and solid left hook to Gonzalez’ body. The defending champion fell on the canvas a few moments after receiving the counter-attack; the Mexican tried to get up and fight again but failed to do it remained down on the canvas. This was Peñalosa's second world title in 10 years.[4]

He defended the title in Quezon City, Philippines by stopping former world title holder Ratanachai Sor Vorapin of Thailand in the eighth round on 6 April 2008.[5]

This was the second time he fought Sor Vorapin in which Peñalosa prevailed on both encounters.

On February 21, 2009, Peñalosa took on German Meraz of Mexico at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines; the two fought in the main event of the "Battle of the Bantamweights" card. The WBO title was not at stake. The Filipino boxer won the fight by unanimous decision after 10 rounds.[6]

Other events

After the Manny Pacquiao-Marco Antonio Barrera rematch in Las Vegas, Peñalosa and Jorge Arce of Mexico nearly figured in a fistfight, according to a report by Philboxing.com. The two boxers crossed their way out of the Mandalay Bay Events Center. The boxing website said its sources revealed that it was Arce who challenged Peñalosa to a fight. Peñalosa was reportedly with his wife Goody and Japanese associate Kosuke Washio when the incident happened. Arce was reportedly irritated when one spectator told him upon seeing Penalosa that the Filipino boxer is more popular than him. The proud Mexican, the report said, apparently did not like the comments and immediately confronted the Filipino world champion. According to the report, Peñalosa was apparently irked by Arce's actuations and tried to follow the Mexican boxer but was prevailed upon by Goody.[7]

Return at super bantamweight

He later fought on 25 April 2009, in Puerto Rico against Puerto Rican sensation Juan Manuel López for the WBO Super Bantamweight Championship. The showdown featured as a Champion versus Champion match because the two fighters were both holders of WBO World titles. Penalosa had the bantamweight title and Lopez had the super bantamweight belt.

Early in the fight, both pugilists exchanged combinations, with López gaining a slight advantage by targeting the head and body of Peñalosa. This pattern continued in the third and fourth rounds, while the challenger continued counterattacking despite receiving more damage. Between the fifth and sixth chapters, both pugilists exchanged combinations, with Peñalosa scoring his most solid punches. During the following two rounds, López managed to establish control of the offensive's tempo, but Peñalosa continued using his counterattack. Prior to the ninth chapter, Peñalosa's trainer, Freddie Roach, warned him that he had to win by knockout or the fight would be stopped. In the round, the pattern continued with few variations, once it was over Roach submitted the fight. With this technical knockout, López became the first boxer to defeat the veteran by knockout.[8]

After the fight, the Filipino boxer said: "He (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". Then Penalosa talked about a possible retirement after one last fight, as he wants to hang up his gloves as a champion. Many people, including members of his family and his friend, Manny Pacquiao, wanted Peñalosa to quit boxing already, saying he has nothing more to prove in the sport.[9][10]

In April, Penalosa was stripped of his bantamweight title for failing to defend it within one year.[11]

Farewell fights

However, Peñalosa decided to fight for one more time. Many tough boxers were considered to be his possible next opponent, including Jorge Arce, Daniel Ponce de Leon, Eric Morel and Vic Darchinyan.[12]

On 13 February 2010, Peñalosa faced Eric Morel (41-2) of Puerto Rico for the interim WBO bantamweight title at the Las Vegas Hilton in Las Vegas, Nevada. The veteran fighter trained at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles under the guidance of coach Freddie Roach, along with Filipino prospect Bernabe Concepcion and seven-division world champion Manny Pacquiao.[13] The bout was part of the card named "Pinoy Power 3", in which four other Filipino boxers fought.[14] Peñalosa eventually lost the bout by a controversial Split Decision.[15][16]

At the opening round the Puerto Rican looked to stick and move while Peñalosa took on the role of the aggressor. In the early rounds Morel appeared a bit more active. Peñalosa received a bad low blow in the 2nd round and was given some time to recover. In the 6th round a clash of heads opened a cut over the Filipino's right eyes; a few moments later, another headbutt opened a severe laceration over Peñalosa's left eye. The injury bled profusely during the next rounds, but he was able to hurt the opponent with strong body punches and seemed to take control of the fight. With the bleeding clearly bothering him, the "Fearless" boxer continued to attack as Morel seemed to keep away from him. Peñalosa continued along this way through the championship rounds, while Morel looked to jab and retreat. During the last rounds, Peñalosa fought hard but apparently hadn't done enough to impress the judges.[17] Two judges scored the fight 115-113 and 116-112 for Morel, while the third and final card scored the bout 113-115 for Peñalosa. FightFan.com had the bout scored 115-113 for Peñalosa.[18] Some people even said that the Filipino boxer should have won over the Puerto Rican, including his trainer, Freddie Roach, and Manny Pacquiao.[19]

Following the fight against Morel, Peñalosa stated that he will fight for one last time against Yodsaenkeng Kietmangmee of Thailand on October 10, 2010. The Filipino pugilist also revealed that the proceeds of this match will be given to Z Gorres to help him with his medical expenses.[20] The event, called "Golpe Golpe na Zamboanga: The Last Hurrah", was held at the Zamboanga City Coliseum.[21] The former world champion won the bout by TKO in the 4th round.[22]

Peñalosa finished his 21-year career with a professional record of 55 wins, with 37 knockouts, 8 losses and 2 draws.

Retirement

After retiring as a fighter he became a boxing promoter with his nephew, Dave Peñalosa, among the boxers in his stable.[23]

Professional boxing record

55 Wins (37 knockouts, 18 decisions), 8 Defeats (1 by knockout, 7 by decision), 2 Draws
Res. Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location Notes
Win Thailand Yodsaenkeng Kietmangmee TKO 4 (10) 2010-10-10 Philippines Zamboanga City Coliseum, Zamboanga City, Philippines
Loss Puerto Rico Eric Morel Decision (split) 12 (12) 2010-02-13 United States Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, United States Interim WBO bantamweight title on the line.
Loss Puerto Rico Juan Manuel López RTD 10 (12), 0:10 2009-04-25 Puerto Rico Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez, Bayamon, Puerto Rico WBO super bantamweight title on the line. Coach stopped the bout, threw in the towel.
Win Mexico German Meraz Decision (unan.) 10 (10) 2009-02-21 Philippines Cebu Coliseum, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
Win Thailand Ratanachai Sor Vorapin TKO 8 (12), 2:31 2008-04-06 Philippines Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines Retained WBO bantamweight title.
Win Mexico Jhonny González KO 7 (12), 2:45 2007-08-11 United States Arco Arena, Sacramento, California, United States Won WBO bantamweight title.
Loss Mexico Daniel Ponce de León Decision (unan.) 12 (12) 2007-03-17 United States Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States WBO super bantamweight title and IBA Super Bantamweight Title on the line.
Win Panama Mauricio Martinez TKO 9 (10), 1:05 2006-10-21 United States Don Haskins Convention Center, El Paso, Texas, United States
Win Mexico Tomas Rojas Decision (unan.) 10 (10) 2006-07-02 Philippines Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Win Paraguay Feliciano Dario Azuaga Ledezma Decision (unan.) 10 (10) 2005-12-10 Philippines Ynares Sports Center, Antipolo City, Rizal, Philippines
Win Thailand Bangsaen Sithpraprom KO 7 (12), 1:45 2004-11-27 Philippines Casino Filipino Amphitheater, Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines Won vacant WBF super flyweight title on the line.
Win Thailand Samingkao Chutipol TKO 2 (10), 2:35 2004-09-19 Philippines Sports and Cultural Complex, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines
Loss Japan Masamori Tokuyama Decision (split) 12 (12) 2002-12-20 Japan Castle Hall, Osaka, Osaka, Japan WBC super flyweight title on the line.
Win Japan Seiji Tanaka TKO 8 (12), 3:00 2002-08-20 United States Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Retained WBC International super flyweight title.
Win Mexico Oscar Andrade Decision (unan.) 7 (12), 3:00 2002-05-24 United States Feather Falls Casino, Oroville, California, United States Won NABF super flyweight title.
Win Philippines Joel Avila Technical decision 8 (12) 2002-03-02 Philippines Makati Coliseum, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines Retained WBC International super flyweight title.
Loss Japan Masamori Tokuyama Decision (unan.) 12 (12) 2001-09-24 Japan Arena, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan WBC super flyweight title on the line.
Win Japan Keiji Yamaguchi TKO 1 (12) 2001-05-05 Philippines Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines Retained WBC International super flyweight title.
Win Thailand Ratanachai Sor Vorapin TKO 6 (12) 2000-11-25 Philippines Casino Filipino Amphitheater, Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines Retained WBC International super flyweight title.
Win Thailand Pone Saengmorakot KO 6 (12) 2000-05-27 Philippines Casino Filipino Amphitheater, Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines Won vacant WBC International super flyweight title.
Loss South Korea In-Joo Cho Decision (split) 12 (12) 2000-01-02 South Korea Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel, Seoul, South Korea WBC super flyweight title on the line.
Win Panama Ramon Jose Hurtado KO 2 (12), 1:51 1999-06-05 United States Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, United States Won vacant NABA super flyweight title.
Loss South Korea In-Joo Cho Decision (split) 12 (12) 1998-08-29 South Korea Ritz Carlton Hotel, Seoul, South Korea Lost WBC super flyweight title.
DrawMexico Joel Luna Zárate Technical draw 2 (12) 1998-04-25 Philippines Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines Retained WBC super flyweight title.
Win South Korea Young-Joo Choo KO 10 (12), 1:15 1997-11-23 South Korea Songnam Indoor Gymnasium, Seongnam City, South Korea Retained WBC super flyweight title.
Win Mexico Hipolido Saucedo Decision (unan.) 10 (10) 1997-08-05 United States Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States
Win South Korea Seung-Koo Lee KO 9 (12), 0:56 1997-06-14 Philippines Mactan Air Base Grounds, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines Retained WBC super flyweight title.
Win Japan Hiroshi Kawashima Decision (split) 12 (12) 1997-02-20 Japan Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan Won WBC super flyweight title.
Win Thailand Prasob Jaimuangdalam KO 5 (10) 1996-11-09 Philippines Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Win South Korea Kap-Chul Choi KO 3 (10) 1996-09-14 Philippines Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines
Win South Korea Yun-II Kim KO 2 (10) 1996-05-08 Philippines Naga City, Cebu, Philippines
Win Thailand Inseethong Sorthanikul KO 2 (10) 1996-03-30 Philippines Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Win South Korea Jong Keun Lee KO 2 (10) 1995-11-11 Philippines Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Win South Korea Jae-Chul Han KO 3 (10) 1995-08-12 Philippines Cebu, Philippines
Win Philippines Rolando Pascua KO 8 (10) 1995-04-08 Philippines Cebu, Philippines
Win South Korea Suk-Hwi Cho KO 3 (10) 1994-12-29 Philippines Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Win Indonesia Steven Togelang KO 3 (10) 1994-10-08 Philippines Cebu, Philippines
Win South Korea Yun-Sun Baek KO 7 (10) 1994-06-03 Philippines Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Win South Korea In-Man Chang KO 3 (10) 1994-03-05 Philippines Naga City, Cebu, Philippines
Win South Korea In-Man Chang Decision (unan.) 10 (10) 1993-09-18 Philippines Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Win Philippines Jesse Maca Decision (unan.) 10 (10) 1993-04-24 Philippines Cebu, Philippines
Win South Korea Kiung-Seo Koo KO 3 (10) 1993-02-20 Philippines Cebu, Philippines
Win Philippines Rolando Bohol Decision (unan.) 10 (10) 1992-12-19 Philippines Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Malate, Metro Manila, Philippines
Win South Korea Sung-Kuk Kang KO 5 (10) 1992-10-30 Philippines Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Loss Philippines Samuel Duran Decision (split) 12 (12) 1992-08-01 Philippines Cebu, Philippines Philippines Games & Amusement Board (GAB) bantamweight title on the line.
Win Philippines Jonathan Albay Decision (unan.) 10 (10) 1992-06-13 Philippines Cebu, Philippines
Win Philippines Eddie Yabut Decision (unan.) 10 (10) 1992-02-22 Philippines Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines
Win Indonesia Rangga Yuildin KO 2 1992-01-11 Philippines Cebu, Philippines
Win Philippines Raffy Montalban TKO 8 1991-12-13 Philippines Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Malate, Metro Manila, Philippines
Win Philippines Roger Vicera KO 4 1991-10-26 Philippines Cebu, Philippines
Win Philippines Subuki Cabato TKO 8 1991-07-20 Philippines Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Win Philippines Elson Duran KO 4 1991-06-01 Philippines Cebu, Philippines
Win Philippines Ric Magramo TKO 5 1991-01-19 Philippines Cebu, Philippines
Win Philippines Bert Refugio Decision (unan.) 10 (10) 1990-10-19 Philippines Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
DrawPhilippines Ric Siodora Draw 10 (10) 1990-06-23 Philippines Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Win South Korea Jeung Jae Lee KO 5 1990-03-31 Philippines Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Win Indonesia Rachmat Basuki Decision (unan.) 12 (12) 1990-01-18 Indonesia Go Skate Hall, Surabaya, Indonesia Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental light flyweight title.
Win Philippines Loloc Elloren KO 7 1989-12-22 Philippines Cebu, Philippines
Win Philippines Eldie Paradero TKO 5 1989-11-11 Philippines Cebu City Coliseum, Cebu, Philippines
Win China Im-Suk Chang Decision (unan.) 8 (8) 1989-10-14 China Hong Kong S.A.R., China
Win Philippines Pol Cabanes KO 7 1989-09-29 Philippines Cebu, Philippines
Win Philippines Eugene Flores Decision (unan.) 8 (8) 1989-08-19 Philippines Cebu, Philippines
Win Philippines Bernie Bernardo Decision (unan.) 8 (8) 1989-08-04 Philippines Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Win Philippines Eddie Torres Decision (unan.) 6 (6) 1989-06-24 Philippines Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Win Philippines Fidel Jubay KO 5 1989-05-20 Philippines Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines

Titles

Professional career

Outside the ring

On April 21, 2008, Peñalosa won in the game show Wheel of Fortune held in the Philippines, defeating fellow boxers Rey Bautista and Alex John Banal. The prize he earned was worth P159,000 ($3,791).[24]

Peñalosa served as the trainer of IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire, who was supposed to fight Fernando Montiel for the WBO super flyweight championship.[25]

When he isn't boxing, Peñalosa serves as a reporter who writes articles about the sport. The veteran boxer is also an entrepreneur; in fact, he owns a lot of gyms in the Philippines. One of these is the newly opened gym at the Marketplace in Mandaluyong City which it cost P200 per session.

The Gerry Peñalosa Boxing Gym opened its doors and launched in 2010 with some new amateur boxers and to fight enthusiasts, as he plans to train future champions.

Personal life

Peñalosa was born in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, and currently resides in Manila. He is married to Goody Peñalosa and they have two children.

See also

References

  1. "Gerry Peñalosa: RP's Cinderella Man". GMANews.TV. 2007-08-16.
  2. "Gerry Penalosa: The great fighter that young Filipino boxers should emulate". 22 February 2010. Retrieved 2010-02-25.
  3. "Mexican fighters to stake titles vs Filipinos in US". GMANews.TV. 2007-06-14.
  4. "Gerry Penalosa – Beating the Boxing Odds". eastsideboxing.com. 2008-03-29.
  5. "Gerry Peñalosa remains WBO bantam champ". abs-cbnNEWS.com. 04-06-2008. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. "Peñalosa leads RP triumph in Battle of Bantamweights". abs-cbnNEWS.com. 2009-02-22.
  7. "RP's Gerry Penalosa, Mexico's Jorge Arce in near fistfight". GMANEWS.com. 2007-10-10.
  8. Luis Cadiz. "Juanma: On The Brink!". pound4pound.com.
  9. "Peñalosa: I'm still good for one last fight". GMANews.TV. 02-06-2009. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  10. "Pacquiao to pal Gerry: Time to hang up gloves". GMANews.TV. 2009-04-26.
  11. http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=sports4_may18_2009
  12. "Gerry Peñalosa sets his sights on Vic Darchinyan". boxingscene.com. 2009-07-18.
  13. "Gerry Peñalosa joins Manny Pacquiao at Wild Card Gym". GMANews.TV. 03-11-2009. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. "Filipino boxers aim for sweep in 'Pinoy Power III'". abs-cbnNEWS.com. 2010-02-14.
  15. "Bloodied Peñalosa bows to Morel". GMANews.TV. 2010-02-14.
  16. Dan Rafael (2010-02-15). "Morel handed title in dubious decision". ESPN.com.
  17. "Eric Morel beats Gerry Peñalosa, Split Decision Call". boxingscene.com. 2010-02-13.
  18. "Eric Morel edges a bloody good Gerry Penalosa!". FightFan.com. 2010-02-13.
  19. "Peñalosa to release statement on career". abs-cbnNEWS.com. 03-01-2010. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  20. Bonsubre, Rene (September 27, 2010). "Gerry's last hurrah for The Dream". PhilBoxing.com. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
  21. Pangilinan, Robbie (October 9, 2010). "All set for Gerry's last fight". PhilBoxing.com. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
  22. Bonsubre, Rene (October 10, 2010). "All set for Gerry's last fight". PhilBoxing.com. Retrieved October 10, 2010.
  23. "Gerry Peñalosa's nephew Dave Peñalosa to take on Thai opponent in Manila on Saturday". Combat Asia. August 14, 2012. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
  24. Dyan Castillejo (April 22, 2008). "Peñalosa enjoys P159K prize from Wheel of Fortune". abs-cbnnews.com. Retrieved 2010-02-28.
  25. Ronnie Nathanielsz (30 December 2008). "PENALOSA CONFIRMS HE'LL TRAIN DONAIRE". PhilBoxing.com. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
Preceded by
Hiroshi Kawashima
WBC Super Flyweight Champion
20 February 1997 29 August 1998
Succeeded by
In-Joo Cho
Preceded by
Jhonny González
WBO Bantamweight Champion
11 August 2007 - 25 April 2009
Stripped
Succeeded by
Fernando Montiel
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