Sporting Chance

There's a hit song shaking up the air waves in Thailand. It's called "Samson Rock" -- a rip-roaring tribute to World Boxing Federation (WBF) junior bantamweight champion Samson 3-K Battery.

To Thai fans, Samson is a national hero, a legend in his own time. His real name is Saengmuangmoi Lukchaopormasak. His nom de guerre is Samson because he's supposed to be as strong as the Biblical character -- with or without long hair. He is surnamed 3-K Battery to honor his sponsor.

Samson, 27, turned pro in 1992 and has since compiled an eye-popping record of 34-0, with 31 knockouts. He captured the WBF crown in only his fourth bout, stopping Colin Nelson in 1994. Believe it or not, Samson has made 29 successful title defenses.

Only two fighters -- both Filipinos -- survived the distance with Samson. Dan Nietes did it once and Jess Maca, the reigning Oriental bantamweight titlist, did it twice. Among Samson's knockout victims were Filipinos Rey Llagas, Felix Marfa, Andy Alagenio, Ricky Sales, Young Elmer, Edwin Casano, Rolando Pascua, Bong Arlos, and Edward Escriber.

Last year, Samson repulsed five challengers -- Alagenio, South Africans Duncan Magubane and Patrick Saberlini, Ariel Neri, and Oleg Salkolov of Russia.

In March 1998, Samson figured in a near-fatal car accident, sustaining broken ribs and other injuries that required 73 stitches. He wasn't strapped to a seat belt and was thrown 20 meters out of his car. But miraculously, Samson was back in the ring four months later to halt Llagas, a former Philippine junior bantamweight champion, in seven rounds. It's no wonder Samson diehards insist their hero is indestructible.

Boxing experts, however, are reluctant to jump into the Samson bandwagon and skeptics doubt if he'll be as formidable against tougher opposition.

Japanese matchmaker Joe Koizumi said: "I feel embarrassed by Samson's defenses. He has fought many Asians, mainly mediocre Filipinos. I will not accept Samson being superior to Khaosai Galaxy (the former World Boxing Association junior bantamweight titleholder). Samson is aggressive and powerful but less skillful (than Galaxy). He is inferior to Johnny Tapia and Gerry Peñalosa."

Samson, of course, is eager to silence his critics. There is talk that his manager Virat Vachirattanawong, promoter Somphop Srisomvongse, and business agent Panya Prachakorn are lobbying for WBC President Jose Sulaiman's support to rank Samson No. 1 in the 115-pound ratings. Samson apparently feels he's ready to take on all comers.

So when word spread that Peñalosa, smarting from his recent controversial loss to WBC superflyweight ruler In Joo Cho of South Korea, is open to fighting Samson, Thai fans got excited.

The other day, WBF referee and judge Alex Vidal of Iloilo sent an urgent e-mail to The STAR relaying a message from Panya. Vidal said he contacted WBF Asia-Pacific Field Representative Jack Rennie in Melbourne to suggest a Samson defense against Peñalosa. Rennie, in turn, tipped off Panya who then informed Vidal of Samson's interest.

Samson is booked to stake his crown against Lee Jin Ho of South Korea in Bangkok on Jan. 29. He's expected to make short work of Lee then face another challenger on March 17 -- that challenger could be Peñalosa.

"Even if Gerry is no longer a world champion, Thai fans are still hankering for a Gerry-Samson fight," said Vidal. "I think Gerry is the perfect opponent for the bull-strong Samson because unlike Cho, Samson doesn't know how to retreat. I should know because I was the referee when Samson demolished Genaro Garcia of Mexico in Chonburi province on Feb. 17, 1996. Panya once predicted Samson would stop Gerry in three rounds. It's time for Gerry to avenge the losses suffered by our countrymen to Samson. I guarantee that the Gerry-Samson fight will be a humdinger. They are both destroyers and they will certainly destroy each other in the ring."

Vidal said Panya has asked him to find out from Penalosa's manager Rudy Salud how much to offer the Filipino to fight Samson in Bangkok.

Another option for Peñalosa is to battle WBC International superflyweight champion Damaen Kelly of Ireland. Local promoter Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde, Jr. said Kelly is willing to defend his crown against Peñalosa in Manila for a $20,000 purse without an option clause.

Kelly, a 1996 Atlanta Olympic flyweight quarterfinalist, boasts a 10-1 record, with six stoppages. Last October, he halted Igor Gerasimov of Russia to capture the vacant WBC International crown in Belfast. His only loss was to Keith Knox on cuts -- he had six -- last May.

Salud said he won't decide on Peñalosa's next move until early next month. By then, nutritionist Dr. Sanirose Orbeta would've advised Peñalosa on his ideal fighting weight after a three-week diet.

Salud added that he's also awaiting Sulaiman's advice on what steps Peñalosa should take to keep him in the title picture.

In a recent letter to Salud, Sulaiman said: "There are few things that I would feel better than supporting you and Gerry. I like the idea of the bantamweight division. Give me a short time and let us see what happens and what can be done to support Gerry somehow. I will strategize with you to give him another opportunity, as he deserves it very much."

You wonder what's in store for Peñalosa in the new millennium.