President invited to Gerry-Pone fight

President Joseph Estrada has been invited to be guest of honor in PSA Fiesta Fistiana's blockbuster boxing card featuring Filipino Gerry Peñalosa and Thai Pone Saengmorakot, who will dispute the WBC international superflyweight title tomorrow at the Casino Filipino Amphitheater in Parañaque.

Organizers of the event said the presence of the country's Chief Executive will add prestige and honor to the keenly-awaited event and will further boost Peñalosa's confidence in his quest to win the title that would line him up for a shot at the world crown.

Peñalosa has been training in earnest and has vowed to hurdle this particular fight which serves as his comeback bid after losing to Korea's In-joo Cho in Seoul last January for second straight time.

Also invited to grace the event, billed as "Winning Time at the Casino" and presented by San Miguel Beer and Casino Filipino, are Executive Secretary Ronaldo Zamora, Sen. Ramon Revilla, Cavite Gov. Bong Revilla, businessman-sportsman Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr. and Presidential Adviser on Sports Richard Gomez.

Sen. Robert S. Jaworski, Sr., Parañaque Mayor Joey Marquez and Games and Amusements Board chair Dominador Cepeda have been tasked to present the championship belts in three featured bouts of the card put up by the Philippine Sportswriters Association that also features an eight-rounder, two six rounders and a four-rounder.

Malcolm Tuñacao, whose sensational conquest of the WBC superflyweight crown from Medgoen Kratingdaeng Gym last week has inspired Peñalosa in his comeback bid, and his manager Wakee Salud are also expected to be at the ringside when the former world champion clashes with the Thai fighter in a 12-round bout.