Gerry ready for comeback bid

Former World Boxing Council (WBC) superflyweight champion Gerry Peñalosa celebrates his 32nd birthday in a comeback fight against rugged Randy Mangubat on Aug. 7 at the Cebu Coliseum.

Peñalosa hasn’t fought since losing a split 12-round decision to Masamori Tokuyama in his third foiled bid to regain the 115-pound crown in Osaka in December 2002.

"Excited akong lumaban muli," Peñalosa told The Star yesterday. "Curious ako kung kaya ko pa. Ready na ako to take the challenge. Pipilitin kong makabangon. Gutom na naman ako especially since baka makalaban ako for the IBF (International Boxing Federation) championship soon."

Peñalosa disclosed that in a meeting with lawyer Rudy Salud two weeks ago, he was told, depending on his showing against Mangubat, of the possibility of taking on IBF superflyweight titlist Luis Alberto Perez of Nicaragua in the undercard of Manny Pacquiao’s next fight, tentatively in Las Vegas in September.

Peñalosa said the title shot was initially offered to Salud’s protégé Z Gorres. But Salud declined the opportunity, saying Gorres is still a few fights away from shooting for the crown. Pacquiao’s US promoter Murad Muhammad is looking for a Filipino to challenge Perez, a southpaw.

Peñalosa said he went back to the gym six months ago and began working out. His weight is now 122, six pounds over the limit for the Mangubat fight. So far, the San Carlos City native has sparred over 50 rounds with the likes of former Oriental champion Pedrito Laurente, Alex Escaner and Mike Farinas who will make his pro debut in the undercard of the Peñalosa-Mangubat bout.

Peñalosa said he has no manager and brother Dodie Boy Peñalosa, a former two-time world champion, took charge as his trainer three weeks ago. Paul Pereyra will promote his fight against Mangubat who replaced original opponent Roger Galicia.

What boosted Peñalosa’s drive to launch his comeback was Tokuyama’s shock dethronement last month. Tokuyama was knocked out in the first round by Katsushige Kawashima in Yokohama. Kawashima’s record is 26-3, with 18 KOs, compared to Peñalosa’s 46-5-2, with 28 KOs. Peñalosa’s losses were to Samuel Duran, In Joo Cho twice and Tokuyama twice–all on points.

Peñalosa said he has studied Kawashima’s style on tape and isn’t impressed. "Mabagal kumilos," noted Penalosa. "May lakas, simple lang lumaban. Kaliwete at fighter siya. Okay lang kung labanan ko siya sa Japan. Nothing to lose ako. Kung mapatunayan ko na kaya ko pa, lalabanan ko si Kawashima."

Peñalosa said his wife Goody is backing up his decision to return to the ring. "Alam niya, nami-miss ko ang boksing," continued Peñalosa. "Hangga’t kaya ko pa, lalaban pa ako." The couple has two children, JC Boy, 4, and Jullien, 2.

Peñalosa said his goal is to win a second world title "as soon as possible."

Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Eduardo Villanueva said Peñalosa has two to three more years left as a competitive fighter.

"I watched Gerry in an exhibition at the Fort last month and he looked fit and sharp," said Villanueva. "I think he can fight until he’s 35 if he keeps in tip-top shape. I hope he finds a good manager and a good trainer. He has a chance to become a world champion again. He still packs a wallop. At mabilis pa. But he needs to work on his jab. Tokuyama beat Gerry twice because of his long reach and jab. If Gerry works on his jab, he’ll be a better all-around fighter. He has to be more versatile like Manny."

Mangubat, 28, turned pro in 1994 and has since compiled a 32-19-12 record, with 16 KOs. Last year, he lost a unanimous decision to WBC flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wongjongkam in Songkla, Thailand. The ex-WBC International titleholder has won only once in his last six outings but was unbeaten in 13 previous fights. Mangubat is coming off a disputed loss on points to Yoshinobu Nakamura in Komaki, Japan, last April. His manager is Japanese freelance photojournalist Yuki Murayama who lives in Manila with his Filipina wife and their daughter.