Prince next for Gerry - SPORTING CHANCE by Joaquin M. Henson

Gerry Peñalosa is a win away from sealing a crack at the World Boxing Council (WBC) superflyweight title. His next opponent is former World Boxing Association (WBA) junior flyweight champion Keiji (Prince) Yamaguchi of Japan. But the fight date is still up in the air — it’s dependent on when WBC 115-pound ruler Masamori Tokuyama faces In Joo Cho in his second defense.

Peñalosa’s manager Rudy Salud says he’ll set the Yamaguchi bout close to when Tokuyama battles Cho to avoid a long layoff. WBC President Jose Sulaiman has ruled the Tokuyama-Cho winner to defend the crown against Peñalosa within 90 days of the fight.

Peñalosa’s isn’t sitting idly at home. He’s busy keeping in shape in Davao where he lives with wife Goody and their son, J Boy. Peñalosa jogs five to six kilometers every morning then punishes himself in the gym each afternoon — doing everything except sparring. He starts sparring as soon as he finds out when he’ll fight Yamaguchi.

It’s likely that Tokuyama will meet Cho in April. The bout was originally slated in March but Tokuyama, a Japanese born to North Korean parents, asked for a postponement until May, supposedly because of an injured hand. Cho’s manager Ku Sung Lee objected to the long delay and sought WBC intervention to rule on a compromise — he suggested April. The issue remains unsettled.

* * *

Peñalosa says he’s watched Yamaguchi in at least five fights on tape. He isn’t worried. "Parang Cho kung lumaban, hit-and-run," notes Peñalosa. "Ang pagkakaiba niya ay southpaw siya at tumatakbo lang kung ‘di siya sumusuntok." Penalosa says Yamaguchi is easier to hit than Cho because he doesn’t mind mixing it up. "Lumalaban din ng sabayan," adds Peñalosa.

Yamaguchi, 26, turned pro in 1992 and has since compiled a 29-6-1 record, with 11 knockouts. He has victimized 12 Filipino opponents, including Nolito Cabato, Lee Escobido, Rudy Idano, Texas (Mug) Gomez, Jojo Torres, and Marlon Carillo.

In 1996, Yamaguchi scored a 12-round decision over Carlos Murillo of Panama to claim the WBA 108-pound crown. He lost the title to Pichitnoi Sithbangprachan that same year.

In 1999, Yamaguchi tried to wrest the WBC 115-pound diadem from Cho — before the Korean was dethroned by Tokuyama — and bowed on points. Cho floored Yamaguchi twice in the 12th round to clinch the verdict. The Japanese lefthander bounced back to beat Hyun Soong Kim on points then last October, was stopped by Masayuki Arinaga in the fourth round in Tokyo. The six fighters who’ve beaten Yamaguchi were Hi Yong Choi, Pichitnoit, Jose Bonilla, Akihiko Nago (whom Tokuyama recently beat in a title defense), Cho, and Arinaga.

* * *

Peñalosa says he’d like to be at ringside when Tokuyama takes on Cho, the lanky Korean who took his title on a disputed split decision and later repeated on an equally controversial split decision. But it’s contingent on when he’ll fight Yamaguchi. If Peñalosa faces Yamaguchi before the Tokuyama-Cho match, he hopes to be at ringside to size up the champion and challenger up close.

Peñalosa says he’ll move to Manila next week to start sparring as he expects the WBC to schedule the Tokuyama-Cho fight any day now. His brothers Dodie Boy and Erbing were in Davao supervising his training until last week when they went to Cebu to celebrate the Sinulog festival. The three brothers will hook up again in Manila.

Peñalosa, the WBC No. 1 contender, can’t wait for the chance to regain the title that Cho robbed. Tokuyama should be easier to beat than Cho considering the Korean has beaten Peñalosa twice. But if Cho defeats Tokuyama, Peñalosa promises to get his revenge. One way or the other, Peñalosa will not be denied.

Before the year is over, Peñalosa will be back on the WBC throne. Bet on it.