'Battle of Best Bantamweights' at Cebu Coliseum: Peñalosa, Marez trade bombs tonight

CEBU, Philippines - WBO bantamweight champion Gerry “Fearless” Peñalosa takes his final hurdle towards a grand showdown with WBO super bantamweight titlist Juan Manuel Lopez as he clashes head-on with the visiting Mexican warrior German “Panteonero” Meraz in the main event of the keenly-awaited “Battle of the Best Bantamweights” card today at the Cebu Coliseum. Showtime starts at 5 pm.

“I’m inviting the Cebuanos to come and watch the fight as they will surely get their money’s worth. I will show off all what I’ve got to entertain them to the fullest,” said the 36-year-old Peñalosa, who needs an impressive victory to seal an April 24 ring date with Lopez in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Peñalosa had earlier said this will be his last ring appearance on Philippine soil and he preferred to stage it here as payback to the unflinching support of his loyal Cebuano fans.

“I started my career and eventually made a name in boxing in Cebu. It is just fitting that I have to return the favor to the Cebuanos. I dedicate this fight to them. Expect one great night of fistic action,” said a very grateful Peñalosa.

Heading into the battle, Peñalosa is armed with an intimidating 53-6 win-loss record garnished with 36KOs, while Meraz sports a decent ring credential of 24-7-2 packed with 11KOs.

Peñalosa is making his only second fight since dethroning Mexican Johnny Gonzalez via seventh round knockout on August 12, 2007 at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. He kept his belt with an eight round stoppage of Thai Ratanachai Sor Vorapin on April 6 last year at the Araneta Coliseum.

Meraz, on the other hand, won seven of his 12 matches in 2008 capped by back-to-back TKO disposition of his compatriot Juan Chabelas all within five rounds.

In the supporting bouts of an explosive triple-header featuring two WBO regional title fights, Rolando Magbanua will take on Mexico’s Jose Cata for the interim WBO Oriental bantamweight belt, while Jason Egera of Siaton, Negros Oriental will defend his WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight throne against Jundy Maraon, a rising star from North Cotabato.

Also to watch out for are promising Mindanao pugs in the likes of Glen Porras, Glen Gonzales, and Edrin Dapudong. Porras will slug it out with Thai Daothon Sissuey, Gonzales will test the mettle of Jose Ocampo, while Dapudong will trade bombs with Ruther del Castillo.

The rest of the card co-presented by Sammy Gello-ani of SGG Sports Promotions and North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Piñol of Braveheart Boxing Promotions pits Lorenzo Villanueva vs. Japeth Martin, Rommel Asenio vs. Marlon Villanueva, Richard Bejos vs. Mike Romulo, Jerome Abel vs. Manny Talisic, Israel Salud vs. Jerry Pahal, and Jestoni Pepito vs. Edison Serrano.

Tickets are reasonably priced at P500 for ringside, P250 for lower box, P150 for upper box, and P100 for general admission. – EBV (BANAT NEWS)