| Gerry Peñalosa | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | |
| Real name | Geronimo Peñalosa |
| Nickname(s) | Fearless |
| Rated at | Bantamweight |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) |
| Nationality | Filipino |
| Born | 7 August 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 Peñalosa (born August 7, 1972 in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, Philippines), more commonly known as Gerry Peñalosa, is a retired Filipino professional boxer.
He is a former holder of the WBC super flyweight and the WBO bantamweight titles. Originally from San Carlos City, he currently resides in Manila. He is currently trained by Freddie Roach. His older brother, Dodie Boy Peñalosa, is a former boxer and world champion.
Contents |
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 by TKO). 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]
Peñalosa turned professional in 1989. He made his debut against Fidel Jubay on May 20, 1989, and won the bout by knockout.
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.
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 WBF super flyweight title on 7 November 2004.
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.
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]
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]
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 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.[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]
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.
| 55 Wins (37 knockouts, 18 decisions), 8 Defeats (1 by knockout, 7 by decision), 2 Draws [1] | |||||||
| Res. | Opponent | Type | Rd., Time | Date | Location | Notes | |
| Win | Yodsaenkeng Kietmangmee | TKO | 4 (10) | 2010-10-10 | Zamboanga City Coliseum, Zamboanga City, Philippines | ||
| Loss | Eric Morel | Decision (split) | 12 (12) | 2010-02-13 | Las Vegas Hilton, Las Vegas, United States | Interim WBO bantamweight title on the line. | |
| Loss | Juan Manuel López | TKO | 10 (12), 0:10 | 2009-04-25 | Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez, Bayamon, Puerto Rico | WBO super bantamweight title on the line. | |
| Win | German Meraz | Decision (unan.) | 10 (10) | 2009-02-21 | Cebu Coliseum, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | Ratanachai Sor Vorapin | TKO | 8 (12), 2:31 | 2008-04-06 | Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Retained WBO bantamweight title. | |
| Win | Jhonny González | KO | 7 (12), 2:45 | 2007-08-11 | Arco Arena, Sacramento, California, United States | Won WBO bantamweight title. | |
| Loss | Daniel Ponce de León | Decision (unan.) | 12 (12) | 2007-03-17 | Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | WBO super bantamweight title and IBA Super Bantamweight Title on the line. | |
| Win | Mauricio Martinez | TKO | 9 (10), 1:05 | 2006-10-21 | Don Haskins Convention Center, El Paso, Texas, United States | ||
| Win | Tomas Rojas | Decision (unan.) | 10 (10) | 2006-07-02 | Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines | ||
| Win | Feliciano Dario Azuaga Ledezma | Decision (unan.) | 10 (10) | 2005-12-10 | Ynares Sports Center, Antipolo City, Rizal, Philippines | ||
| Win | Bangsaen Sithpraprom | KO | 7 (12), 1:45 | 2004-11-27 | Casino Filipino Amphitheater, Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Won vacant WBF super flyweight title on the line. | |
| Win | Samingkao Chutipol | TKO | 2 (10), 2:35 | 2004-09-19 | Sports and Cultural Complex, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Loss | Masamori Tokuyama | Decision (split) | 12 (12) | 2002-12-20 | Castle Hall, Osaka, Osaka, Japan | WBC super flyweight title on the line. | |
| Win | Seiji Tanaka | TKO | 8 (12), 3:00 | 2002-08-20 | Blaisdell Center Arena, Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Retained WBC International super flyweight title. | |
| Win | Oscar Andrade | Decision (unan.) | 7 (12), 3:00 | 2002-05-24 | Feather Falls Casino, Oroville, California, United States | Won NABF super flyweight title. | |
| Win | Joel Avila | Technical decision | 8 (12) | 2002-03-02 | Makati Coliseum, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Retained WBC International super flyweight title. | |
| Loss | Masamori Tokuyama | Decision (unan.) | 12 (12) | 2001-09-24 | Arena, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan | WBC super flyweight title on the line. | |
| Win | Keiji Yamaguchi | TKO | 1 (12) | 2001-05-05 | Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Retained WBC International super flyweight title. | |
| Win | Ratanachai Sor Vorapin | TKO | 6 (12) | 2000-11-25 | Casino Filipino Amphitheater, Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Retained WBC International super flyweight title. | |
| Win | Pone Saengmorakot | KO | 6 (12) | 2000-05-27 | Casino Filipino Amphitheater, Paranaque City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Won vacant WBC International super flyweight title. | |
| Loss | In-Joo Cho | Decision (split) | 12 (12) | 2000-01-02 | Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel, Seoul, South Korea | WBC super flyweight title on the line. | |
| Win | Ramon Jose Hurtado | KO | 2 (12), 1:51 | 1999-06-05 | Grand Casino, Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | Won vacant NABA super flyweight title. | |
| Loss | In-Joo Cho | Decision (split) | 12 (12) | 1998-08-29 | Ritz Carlton Hotel, Seoul, South Korea | Lost WBC super flyweight title. | |
| Draw | Joel Luna Zárate | Technical draw | 2 (12) | 1998-04-25 | Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines | Retained WBC super flyweight title. | |
| Win | Young-Joo Choo | KO | 10 (12), 1:15 | 1997-11-23 | Songnam Indoor Gymnasium, Seongnam City, South Korea | Retained WBC super flyweight title. | |
| Win | Hipolido Saucedo | Decision (unan.) | 10 (10) | 1997-08-05 | Foxwoods Resort, Mashantucket, Connecticut, United States | ||
| Win | Seung-Koo Lee | KO | 9 (12), 0:56 | 1997-06-14 | Mactan Air Base Grounds, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines | Retained WBC super flyweight title. | |
| Win | Hiroshi Kawashima | Decision (split) | 12 (12) | 1997-02-20 | Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan | Won WBC super flyweight title. | |
| Win | Prasob Jaimuangdalam | KO | 5 (10) | 1996-11-09 | Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | ||
| Win | Kap-Chul Choi | KO | 3 (10) | 1996-09-14 | Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | Yun-II Kim | KO | 2 (10) | 1996-05-08 | Naga City, Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | Inseethong Sorthanikul | KO | 2 (10) | 1996-03-30 | Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines | ||
| Win | Jong Keun Lee | KO | 2 (10) | 1995-11-11 | Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines | ||
| Win | Jae-Chul Han | KO | 3 (10) | 1995-08-12 | Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | Rolando Pascua | KO | 8 (10) | 1995-04-08 | Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | Suk-Hwi Cho | KO | 3 (10) | 1994-12-29 | Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | ||
| Win | Steven Togelang | KO | 3 (10) | 1994-10-08 | Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | Yun-Sun Baek | KO | 7 (10) | 1994-06-03 | Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | ||
| Win | In-Man Chang | KO | 3 (10) | 1994-03-05 | Naga City, Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | In-Man Chang | Decision (unan.) | 10 (10) | 1993-09-18 | Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | ||
| Win | Jesse Maca | Decision (unan.) | 10 (10) | 1993-04-24 | Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | Kiung-Seo Koo | KO | 3 (10) | 1993-02-20 | Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | Rolando Bohol | Decision (unan.) | 10 (10) | 1992-12-19 | Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Malate, Metro Manila, Philippines | ||
| Win | Sung-Kuk Kang | KO | 5 (10) | 1992-10-30 | Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | ||
| Loss | Samuel Duran | Decision (split) | 12 (12) | 1992-08-01 | Cebu, Philippines | Philippines Games & Amusement Board (GAB) bantamweight title on the line. | |
| Win | Jonathan Albay | Decision (unan.) | 10 (10) | 1992-06-13 | Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | Eddie Yabut | Decision (unan.) | 10 (10) | 1992-02-22 | Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines | ||
| Win | Rangga Yuildin | KO | 2 | 1992-01-11 | Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | Raffy Montalban | TKO | 8 | 1991-12-13 | Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Malate, Metro Manila, Philippines | ||
| Win | Roger Vicera | KO | 4 | 1991-10-26 | Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | Subuki Cabato | TKO | 8 | 1991-07-20 | Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | ||
| Win | Elson Duran | KO | 4 | 1991-06-01 | Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | Ric Magramo | TKO | 5 | 1991-01-19 | Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | Bert Refugio | Decision (unan.) | 10 (10) | 1990-10-19 | Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines | ||
| Draw | Ric Siodora | Draw | 10 (10) | 1990-06-23 | Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | ||
| Win | Jeung Jae Lee | KO | 5 | 1990-03-31 | Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines | ||
| Win | Rachmat Basuki | Decision (unan.) | 12 (12) | 1990-01-18 | Go Skate Hall, Surabaya, Indonesia | Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental light flyweight title. | |
| Win | Loloc Elloren | KO | 7 | 1989-12-22 | Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | Eldie Paradero | TKO | 5 | 1989-11-11 | Cebu City Coliseum, Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | Im-Suk Chang | Decision (unan.) | 8 (8) | 1989-10-14 | Hong Kong S.A.R., China | ||
| Win | Pol Cabanes | KO | 7 | 1989-09-29 | Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | Eugene Flores | Decision (unan.) | 8 (8) | 1989-08-19 | Cebu, Philippines | ||
| Win | Bernie Bernardo | Decision (unan.) | 8 (8) | 1989-08-04 | Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | ||
| Win | Eddie Torres | Decision (unan.) | 6 (6) | 1989-06-24 | Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines | ||
| Win | Fidel Jubay | KO | 5 | 1989-05-20 | Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines | ||
On 21 April 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).[23]
Peñalosa served as the trainer of IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire, who was supposed to fight Fernando Montiel for the WBO super flyweight championship.[24]
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 to fight enthusiasts, as he plans to train future champions.
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.
| 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 |