Gerry vows to give all for Salud

With his manager, the eminent lawyer Rudy Salud recovering from a heart ailment at the Philippine Heart Center, WBC international super flyweight champion Gerry Peñalosa has vowed to fight his heart out when he battles Thailand’s Ratanachai Sor Vorapin on Nov. 25 at the Casino Filipino in Parañaque.

Salud, who was rushed to the Heart Center last Sunday with severe chest pains, is recovering well but continues to show concern over Peñalosa who faces a do-or-die battle with Vorapin.

Peñalosa must win to retain his No. 1 ranking and to guarantee a mandatory crack at the WBC crown he lost to South Korea’s In Joo Cho in Seoul and suffered the same fate in a rematch last Jan. 2.

The title is currently held by Japan-born North Korean Masamori Tokuyama, who won the title from In Joo Cho and makes his first defense against Japan’s Akihiko Nago in Osaka on Dec. 12.

Salud said he wants Peñalosa to "stay focused and sharp" because of the challenge he faces and has told his handlers to inform Peñalosa that he was doing well and there was no need for the fighter to worry.

Peñalosa realizes that he is staking his No. 1 ranking and a mandatory shot at the title he once held when he takes on Vorapin, who once fought for the IBF junior bantamweight championship and dropped a decision to Mark Johnson.

Vorapin has knocked out nine Filipinos and beaten three others on points, providing Peñalosa with the opportunity to avenge the defeats of his countrymen.

The 12-round fight is presented by San Miguel Beer and Casino Filipino.

Vorapin, who has an impressive ring record of 38 wins, including 27 knockouts, against only four defeats, is scheduled to arrive Sunday.

Peñalosa, on the other hand, has 41 wins, three losses and two draws with 26 knockouts to his name, including his eighth round TKO victory over Thailand’s Pone Saengmorakot who Peñalosa fought for the vacant international title, also at the Casino Filipino last May 27.