Ex-champ Peñalosa back on warpath

Former WBC super flyweight champion Gerry Peñalosa won his comeback fight against Mexican rival Tomas Rojas and promised he’ll re-emerge as world champion in a year’s time.

"Sa loob ng isang taon, akin uli ang korona (In a year’s time, I’ll win the crown again)," said Peñalosa after hurdling Rojas via a unanimous decision in their 10-round fight serving as one of the main supporting bouts in the Manny Pacquiao-Oscar Larios showdown at the Araneta Coliseum yesterday.

"I still have a lot to improve on because of the long layoff. But I’ll keep on working for my next fight," said Peñalosa in Filipino.

The pint-sized Negrense fighter, back in the sport now also under the care of Freddie Roach at his famed Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles, dominated his Mexican foe despite a cut on the left brow sustained in the second quarter.

Judge Ricardo Canlas had it 98-93, judge Ramon Flores 97-93 and judge Arnel Pasion 98-92 all for Peñalosa who reigned as WBC super flyweight titlist from Feb. 20 1997 to Aug. 29 1998.

Peñalosa improved his fight record to 49 wins against five losses and two draws while dealing Rojas his ninth defeat against 22 wins.

Giving up about two inches in height against Rojas, Peñalosa stuck close with his rival in the middle of the ring and beat him in fierce exchanges.

The Filipino pug was all over the Mexican towards the end of the fourth and fifth rounds but just couldn’t finish the job.

"I had tried to finish him off early but he’s very strong so I had to persevere. At least, it was a good test for my next fight," said Peñalosa.

Rojas, also a brave fighter sporting curly, long hair, put some pressure in the seventh, shaking Peñalosa with a thunderous left-right combination.

But Peñalosa came back strong in the eighth and again pressed his attack towards the end of the round.

Practically the same scene was seen in the last two rounds and the crowd gave Peñalosa cheers at the finish.

Peñalosa said he’s been promised a shot at the championship before the end of the year. — N. Beltran