Gerry back on track

Ratanachai Sor Vorapin never knew what hit him. The lethal blow struck like a lightning bolt. Gerry Peñalosa threw a right cross that landed on the Thai’s jaw as he backpedaled late in the sixth round of their World Boxing Council (WBC) International superflyweight title bout before a jampacked crowd at the Casino Filipino Amphitheater last Saturday night.

On impact, Vorapin fell like a log, flat on his back. Referee Bruce McTavish counted to 10 as Vorapin struggled to rise. When it was over, the Thai lay on the canvas for at least five minutes to clear the cobwebs in his head. Then he got up, walked over to Peñalosa, congratulated him, and said he would be the next world champion. It was the first knockout loss in Vorapin’s career.

Vorapin left Manila for Bangkok yesterday. The Thai’s Hawaiian business manager Leon Panoncillo said he’ll bounce back.

"Vorapin’s still young – he’s only 24," noted Panoncillo who is of Filipino descent. "After two or three wins, he’ll be back in title contention. He struggled to make the (115-pound) limit so I expect him to go up to bantamweight and maybe challenge International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion Tim Austin. He got careless against Gerry – he got too cocky, too overconfident. He didn’t think Gerry was that strong until he got caught. He underestimated Gerry’s power."

Panoncillo said he told Vorapin to stop playing around in between rounds but the Thai wouldn’t listen. "After beating all those Filipinos, Vorapin thought Gerry would fold up easily," continued Panoncillo. "He went for a knockout in the fifth round – he pushed hard and wanted to turn it into an all-out war. Gerry fought a smart fight jabbing, staying away, and picking his shots. It was like a chess game."

There were no excuses from Vorapin’s camp. "Gerry’s a real good fighter – he’s the best junior bantamweight in the world," said Panoncillo. "He’s the true champion. No one out there can beat him – not In Joo Cho, not Masamori Tokuyama, not anyone. I hope I’m given the opportunity to work with Gerry in the future. I think he’ll be a big pay-per-view hit in the US fighting against Johnny Tapia or Paulie Ayala."

Panoncillo also flew out yesterday for Honolulu. He’ll be in Las Vegas to attend to Vorapin’s older brother Ratanapol who faces Ricardo Lopez for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior flyweight crown on Dec. 2. Panoncillo is Don King’s Asia Pacific consultant. He promotes fights in Hawaii and owns a stable of about 25 fighters, including Filipinos Andy Tabanas and Jun Gorres.

As for Peñalosa, he’s looking forward to a long rest. He’s planning a trip to Bangkok or Boracay with his wife Goody and their son, J Boy.

Peñalosa stayed awake until 5 a.m. the morning after the fight and slept only two hours. He said Vorapin was the hardest hitter he’s ever faced. "Malakas siya, kaliwa’t kanan," noted Peñalosa. Even if Vorapin’s punches hit his gloves, Peñalosa said he felt the power.

Peñalosa said he was never staggered but got hurt with shots to the body and head. He wasn’t bothered by Vorapin’s showboating antics, he continued. "Very aggressive siya," said Peñalosa. "Hindi ko sinabayan sa early rounds. Jinab ko lang at nagdepensa. Sabi ko sa sarili ko, magsisisi siya sa late rounds sa kanyang kayabangan."

Peñalosa said he thought Vorapin won only one round – the third when the Thai pressed his attack. Peñalosa was way ahead on the three judges’ scorecards entering the sixth. McTavish had it 49-46, Vincent Rodriguez 50-45, and Ramon Flores 50-46.

When it ended, Peñalosa said he was just warming up. "Insayado ako, hindi pa nga ako napagod, hindi ko pa naipakita yung buong lakas ko," he said. "Si Goody, hindi siya worried kasi alam niya I was well prepared."

Peñalosa said he was surprised when the crowd erupted in wild cheering after the fight. "Nagulat ako sa reaction," he said. "I wanted to win convincingly for the fans. Malaki ang utang na loob ko sa kanila at hindi sila nagsasawang sumuporta sa akin."

Among the spectators were San Miguel Corp. Chairman Eduardo Cojuangco, Sen. Ramon Revilla, Sen. Robert Jaworski, Dante Silverio, Vic del Rosario, Jun Bernardino, Dr. Sanirose Orbeta, Dr. Ariel

Miranda, Carlos Velez, Eric Buhain, Dante Almario, Gonzalo Gonzales, Jun Sarreal, and Wakee Salud.

After the fight, Peñalosa jumped out of the ring to embrace his manager Rudy Salud, watching at ringside with his wife Pampin. "Sabi ko kay Attorney Salud, malayo pa ang aming mararating – I want to be a world champion again," he said.

Peñalosa said he fought according to plan. He boxed from a distance in the early rounds then went in for the kill starting the sixth when Vorapin began to slow down. In his corner, Peñalosa was surrounded by his family – brothers Erbing, Dodie Boy, Jonathan, and Carmelo and father Carl. His mother Dolores and sister Marissa couldn’t bear to watch the action and waited outside the arena.

Out of his P1.2 Million purse, Peñalosa said he would complete the payments on his Park Avenue condominium unit on Roxas Boulevard and start a piggery on a 6,000 square meter property he recently bought in General Santos City. He said part of the money will go to improve the facilities in Green Thrills, the restaurant he opened in General Santos City a few months ago.

Peñalosa said unlike in his fight against Pone Saengmorakot last May, he was prepared for Vorapin. "Kulang yung sparring ko in training for Saengmorakot, kanya hindi ko naipakita yung bilis at lakas ko," he said. "Kay Vorapin, kumpleto yung training ko. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon at naibalik Niya yung aking bilis at lakas."

Peñalosa is determined to regain the WBC superflyweight title now held by Tokuyama. Clearly, he’s on the way back to the throne.