Gerry Peñalosa
Encyclopedia
Geronimo Peñalosa more commonly known as Gerry Peñalosa, is a retired Filipino
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....

 professional boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...

.

He is a former holder of the WBC
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...

 super flyweight
Super flyweight
Super flyweight is a weight division in professional boxing. It is alternatively referred to as junior bantamweight and light bantamweight...

 and the WBO
World Boxing Organization
The World Boxing Organization is a sanctioning organization currently recognizing professional boxing world champions. The organization is recognized as one of the four major world championship groups by the IBHOF alongside the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Council and the...

 bantamweight
Bantamweight
Bantamweight is usually a class in boxing for boxers who weigh above 115 pounds and up to 118 pounds . However, in Mixed Martial Arts it is 134-136 pounds . Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight...

 titles. Originally from San Carlos City
San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
San Carlos City is a 2nd class component city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. The settlement was elevated to city status on July 1, 1960 per Republic Act 2643...

, he currently resides in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...

. He is currently trained by Freddie Roach. His older brother, Dodie Boy Peñalosa
Dodie Boy Peñalosa
Diosdado "Dodie Boy" Peñalosa is a retired Filipino boxer and a former IBF champion in the light flyweight and flyweight classes.-Professional career:...

, is a former boxer and world champion.

Fighting Style

A very good defensive boxer and a counter-puncher, Peñalosa has never been knocked down in his entire boxing career (even though he lost to Juan Manuel Lopez
Juan Manuel López (boxer)
Juan Manuel "Juanma" López Rivera is a Puerto Rican professional boxer. As an amateur, Lopez represented Puerto Rico at numerous international tournaments including the 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games, 2003 Pan American Games and the 2004 Summer Olympics. López's professional career...

 by TKO). According to Freddie Roach and other Filipino boxing analysts, Peñalosa is the best technical boxer that ever came from the Philippines. His intelligence and excellent footwork is seen in every fight.

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
Hiroshi Kawashima
Hiroshi Kawashima is a former professional boxer. He defended the WBC super flyweight title six times.- Childhood and Early Career :Kawashima began boxing from an early age under the guidance of his father...

 on 27 February 1997 and has defended the title three times since then.

He later lost it on points to In-Joo Cho
In-Joo Cho
In-Joo Cho is a former boxer from South Korea.-Amateur career:In 1987, Oh won the gold medal in flyweight at the World Junior Amateur Boxing Championships held in....

 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
Masamori Tokuyama
is a retired professional boxer in the super flyweight division. His professional record was 32-3-1 . He is a former WBC world super flyweight champion....

 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 WBF
World Boxing Foundation
The World Boxing Foundation was formed in 2004 to sanction championship boxing contests but has a history dating back to 1988 via its predecessor the World Boxing Federation...

 super flyweight title on 7 November 2004.

Super bantamweight

On 17 March 2007, he took on Daniel Ponce de León
Daniel Ponce de León
Daniel Ponce de León is a Mexican professional Boxer in the Featherweight division and was a member of the 2000 Mexican Olympics team...

 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.
Capturing the WBO title

On August 11, 2007, the veteran Filipino boxer took on Jhonny González
Jhonny González
Jhonny González is a Mexican professional boxer and is the current WBC featherweight champion...

 of Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

 for the WBO bantamweight title at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...

, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...

. 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.

He defended the title in Quezon City, Philippines by stopping former world title holder Ratanachai Sor Vorapin
Ratanachai Sor Vorapin
Ratanachai Sor Vorapin is a professional boxer and a former WBO bantamweight champion. He is the younger brother of Ratanapol Sor Vorapin, a former IBF strawweight champion.-Professional career:...

 of Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...

 in the eighth round on 6 April 2008.

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
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...

 at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City
Cebu City
The City of Cebu is the capital city of Cebu and is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was...

, Cebu
Cebu
Cebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands...

, 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.
Other events

After the Manny Pacquiao-Marco Antonio Barrera rematch in Las Vegas, Peñalosa and Jorge Arce
Jorge Arce
Jorge Armando Arce Armenta is a Mexican professional boxer. Arce is the former WBO World Light Flyweight, WBC World Light Flyweight, Interim WBC World Flyweight, Interim WBA World Super Flyweight, WBO World Super Flyweight, WBO World Super Bantamweight, and is the current WBO World Bantamweight...

 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.

Return at super bantamweight

He later fought on 25 April 2009, in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...

 against Puerto Rican sensation Juan Manuel López
Juan Manuel López (boxer)
Juan Manuel "Juanma" López Rivera is a Puerto Rican professional boxer. As an amateur, Lopez represented Puerto Rico at numerous international tournaments including the 2002 Central American and Caribbean Games, 2003 Pan American Games and the 2004 Summer Olympics. López's professional career...

 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 an 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.

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
Manny Pacquiao
Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, PLH is a Filipino professional boxer and politician. He is the first eight-division world champion; having won six world titles, as well as the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the...

, wanted Peñalosa to quit boxing already, saying he has nothing more to prove in the sport.

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

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
Jorge Arce
Jorge Armando Arce Armenta is a Mexican professional boxer. Arce is the former WBO World Light Flyweight, WBC World Light Flyweight, Interim WBC World Flyweight, Interim WBA World Super Flyweight, WBO World Super Flyweight, WBO World Super Bantamweight, and is the current WBO World Bantamweight...

, Daniel Ponce de Leon, Eric Morel
Eric Morel
Eric Arturo Morel is a Puerto Rican professional boxer. He is a former World Boxing Association flyweight champion.- Amateur career :...

 and Vic Darchinyan
Vic Darchinyan
Vakhtang "Vic" Darchinyan is an Armenian professional boxer discovered by HyeFighters. He is a three-division world champion, having won eight titles in three different weight classes. He is a former IBF Flyweight World Champion and a former Undisputed WBA, WBC & IBF Super Flyweight World...

.

On 13 February 2010, Peñalosa faced Eric Morel (41-2) of Puerto Rico for the interim WBO bantamweight title at the Las Vegas Hilton
Las Vegas Hilton
The Las Vegas Hilton is a hotel, casino, and convention center in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is a joint venture between Colony Capital, which owns 60 percent, and New York City-based REIT Whitehall Street Real Estate Funds, which owns the remaining 40 percent...

 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
Bernabe Concepcion
Bernabe "Abe" Concepcion is a Filipino featherweight boxer. Concepcion resides in Viga, Catanduanes, Philippines. Being from a boxing-oriented family, he trained from a young age. He turned professional at the age of 16.-Early life:...

 and seven-division world champion
Septuple champion
In different sports when a sportsman wins seven crowns, titles, medals, belts or another distinctions is called a Septuple Champion.-Boxing:In boxing, a septuple champion is a boxer who has won world titles in seven different weight classes....

 Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao
Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, PLH is a Filipino professional boxer and politician. He is the first eight-division world champion; having won six world titles, as well as the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the...

. The bout was part of the card named "Pinoy Power 3", in which four other Filipino boxers fought. Peñalosa eventually lost the bout by a controversial Split Decision.

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. 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. Some people even said that the Filipino boxer should have won over the Puerto Rican, including his trainer, Freddie Roach, and Manny Pacquiao.

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. The event, called "Golpe Golpe na Zamboanga: The Last Hurrah", was held at the Zamboanga City Coliseum. The former world champion won the bout by TKO in the 4th round.

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

Professional career

  • WBO Bantamweight Champion, Aug 11, 2007 - Apr 25, 2009
  • WBF Super Flyweight Champion, Nov 27, 2004 - Nov 27, 2005
  • NABF Super Flyweight Champion, May 24, 2002 - Aug 20, 2002
  • WBC International Super Flyweight Champion, May 27, 2000 - Dec 20, 2002
  • NABA Super Flyweight Champion, Jun 5, 1999 - Jan 2, 2000
  • WBC Super Flyweight Champion, Feb 20, 1997 - Aug 29, 1998

Outside the ring

On 21 April 2008, Peñalosa won in the game show Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune (Philippine game show)
There are two Philippine versions of Wheel of Fortune. The first was aired on ABC-5 aired from October 2001 to October 2002. It was hosted by Rustom Padilla and Victoria London...

 held in the Philippines, defeating fellow boxers Rey Bautista
Rey Bautista
Reynaldo Bautista , more commonly known as Boom Boom Bautista, is a Filipino professional boxer, currently residing in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.- Early life :...

 and Alex John Banal
Alex John Banal
Alex John Banal , more commonly known as A.J. Banal, is a Filipino professional boxer. Banal currently resides in Ermita, Cebu City, Cebu, where he trains in the city's famed ALA Boxing Gym.-Early life:...

. The prize he earned was worth P
Philippine peso
The peso is the currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos . Before 1967, the language used on the banknotes and coins was English and so "peso" was the name used...

159,000 ($3,791).

Peñalosa served as the trainer of IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire
Nonito Donaire
Nonito Donaire, Jr. is a Filipino-American professional boxer, who is widely known as "The Filipino Flash." He is a three-division world champion, having won five titles across three different boxing weight classes. He is a known switch-hitter with the ability to fight either southpaw or orthodox...

, who was supposed to fight Fernando Montiel
Fernando Montiel
Fernando Montiel Martínez is a Mexican professional boxer in the Bantamweight division. Fernando is a former WBO Flyweight, WBO Super Flyweight and WBO and WBC Bantamweight champion.-Early life:...

 for the WBO super flyweight championship.

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
Mandaluyong City
The City of Mandaluyong is one of the cities and municipalities that comprise Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is bordered on the west by the country's capital, Manila, to the north by San Juan City, to the east by Quezon City and Pasig City, and by Makati City to the south...

which it cost P200 per session.

The Gerry Peñalosa Boxing Gym opened its doors to fight enthusiasts, as he plans to train future champions.

Personal life

Peñalosa was born in San Carlos City
San Carlos City, Negros Occidental
San Carlos City is a 2nd class component city in the province of Negros Occidental, Philippines. The settlement was elevated to city status on July 1, 1960 per Republic Act 2643...

, Negros Occidental
Negros Occidental
Negros Occidental is a province of the Philippines located in the Western Visayas region. Its capital is Bacolod City and it occupies the northwestern half of Negros Island; Negros Oriental is at the southeastern half...

, and currently resides in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...

. He is married to Goody Peñalosa and they have two children.

External links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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