Peñalosa fights Korean here

Former World Boxing Council (WBC) superflyweight champion Gerry Peñalosa begins his climb back to title contention when he faces tough Yang Sang Ik of Korea tentatively on May 13 at the Casino Filipino in Parañaque.

Yang, a southpaw like Peñalosa, invaded Cebu in 1997 and knocked out Ric Magramo in the eighth round to win the WBC International lightflyweight crown. So fighting on hostile soil is nothing new to the hard-hitting Korean who boasts a record of 19-7, with 13 stoppages -- six inside three rounds.

Yang is coming off a loss on points to Pichit Chor Siriwat in a bid for the World Boxing Association (WBA) junior flyweight diadem in Bangkok. Although the decision was unanimous, Filipino judge Silvestre Abainza saw it only a two-point margin for Pichit.

Peñalosa's manager Rudy Salud had previously rejected two Korean opponents who weren't world-rated.

"We want a contender to test Gerry, not a patsy," said Salud. "Yang seems to be a good choice. We're not looking for an easy fight."

Salud said the coming 12-round bout will be for the vacant WBC International superflyweight title vacated by Damien Kelly. Yang will be paid $5,000 for the match.

Peñalosa, who now lives in Davao with Goody Llido and their son Julio Cesar, was recently in Manila to consult nutritionist Dr. Sanirose Orbeta. He also sparred with Philippine bantamweight champion Joel Junio at the Garcia gym in Cubao during his visit.

"After a hearty lunch, Gerry weighed 126 pounds," said Salud. "Dr. Orbeta's nutrition program is working. He isn't dieting -- he's just eating the right food. In the past, he looked emaciated weighing 126. Now, he's solid and full of muscle. I don't think it'll be a problem for him to trim down to 115 pounds."

As for the Junio workout, Peñalosa decked the Philippine champion in the third round and the session was discontinued.

Salud went to Arun, 300 kilometers from Bangkok, to witness the WBC bantamweight title bout between Veerapol Sahaprom of Thailand and Adan Vargas of Mexico two weeks ago. After Veerapol retained the crown on a unanimous decision, Salud offered the Thai a $120,000 purse and air fare and hotel accommodations for a party of five to defend against Peñalosa in Manila.

But Veerapol isn't too keen on fighting Peñalosa. Salud also tried to arrange a fight against World Boxing Federation (WBF) junior bantamweight champion Samson Toyota-Thailand. Like Veerapol, Samson shied away from Peñalosa.

Salud said WBC superflyweight titlist In Joo Cho is slated to stake his crown against Mexican Gabriel Mira in Seoul next month and a Japanese contender in Osaka in July. He's been assured by Cho's manager Ku Sung Lee that if the Korean loses to either challenger, Peñalosa will take the first crack at the new champion. A third fight against Cho is another option.