Roach in Gerry's corner for Lopez

MANILA, Philippines - Gerry Peñalosa said yesterday trainer Freddie Roach will be in his corner when he challenges WBO superbantamweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez in Puerto Rico on April 24 and announced he will retire this year after one more fight against either Rafael Marquez or Vic Darchinyan.

The other night, Peñalosa went 10 rounds in trouncing Mexican visitor German Meraz on points before over 6,000 fans at the Cebu Coliseum. He described the fight a good workout to kick off his preparation for Lopez whose record is 24-0, with 22 KOs including 10 in the first round. In his corner were his brothers Dodie Boy and Jonathan.

Looking more like a ballroom dancer than a fighter, Meraz survived an early knockdown to waltz out of punching range the rest of the way in bowing to Peñalosa in a shameless display of gutlessness. The scorecards of 100-89 twice and 99-90 were a testament to Peñalosa’s superiority.

Peñalosa decked Meraz with a vicious left straight in the second round. The Mexican went through the lower rope strands and struggled to get back on his feet. Peñalosa, however, held back his attack as he showboated to prevent an early ending to the main event.

Peñalosa, 36, leaves Cebu for Manila this morning and hooks up later with IBF flyweight titlist Nonito Donaire Jr., training for his March 22 defense against undefeated Raul (Cobra) Martinez, at the Mandaluyong gym. Donaire was at ringside in Cebu last Saturday night. Tomorrow, Peñalosa and Donaire drive to Baguio City where they will resume training. The plan is to stay in Baguio until March 8 then continue training in Manila until Donaire’s fight against Martinez.

After Donaire’s fight, Peñalosa will depart for Los Angeles where he plans to train at least a month with Roach at the Wild Card Gym. Peñalosa and Roach will move to Puerto Rico a week before the Lopez bout.

On a scale of 1 to 10, Peñalosa rated his performance against Meraz an 8. “It’s been a long time since I last fought,” said Peñalosa, referring to his 10-month inactivity. “I wanted to get in as many rounds as possible to break in my training for Lopez. In the late rounds, I looked for a knockout but Meraz just kept running. He only wanted to survive. I felt a little rusty but as the fight went on, I got more and more comfortable.”

Peñalosa said to prepare for Lopez, he’s got to work on all departments. “I’m not really happy with my showing against Meraz,” he continued. “I would’ve liked to score a late knockout. But the workout was good for me. In the gym, I’ll work on quickness, power, combinations - everything to get ready for Lopez. Unlike Meraz, Lopez is a banger. I like Lopez’ style which is fit for mine. I like my chances against Lopez. I challenged him so I’m expected to engage. It’s going to be him or me.”

Even as he’s 36 and getting on in years, Peñalosa said he’s still a hungry fighter.

“My goal is to win a third world title,” he said. “This is my chance. After I beat Lopez, I’m hoping to fight either Marquez or Darchinyan. This is my last year of boxing and I’m looking to fight the best in my division.”

The win raised Peñalosa’s record to 54-6-2, with 36 KOs. Lopez was only five years old when Peñalosa turned pro in 1989. Peñalosa said he’s eager to face Lopez who has scored first round knockouts in his last three outings, demolishing Daniel Ponce de Leon, Cesar Figueroa and Sergio Medina in that order.