MANILA, Philippines - Two-time world boxing champion Gerry Peñalosa said yesterday there’s no way Mexican warrior Antonio Margarito will defeat Manny Pacquiao in their 12-round bout for the vacant WBC superwelterweight title at the Cowboys Stadium on Nov. 13 because the Filipino icon is just invincible at his prime.
“It’s Manny’s time,” said Peñalosa. “He’s the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter. Nobody can beat him in his division. The key is his quickness. I don’t think Margarito can touch him. He’s too slow for Manny. I’m not worried about his height. Manny has beaten fighters who were taller than him, like Oscar de la Hoya. Manny will turn Margarito into a punching bag.”
Peñalosa said because Margarito will likely enter the ring outweighing Pacquiao by 10 pounds, he may not go early although it’s a possibility.
“You can’t underestimate Margarito,” said Peñalosa who’s deep in training for his Oct. 10 farewell appearance against Thailand’s Yodsaenkeng Kietmangnee in Zamboanga City. “He’s big and tough. But Manny’s a volume power puncher who doesn’t get tired. I think Margarito will get knocked out or the fight will be stopped in the late rounds, between nine and 12 but if Manny catches him early, I wouldn’t be surprised if he stays down. Margarito is perfect for Manny because he likes to come forward. I can just see what will happen. Pupulbusin ni Manny si Margarito. It’s hard to predict what round it will end but you can be sure Margarito isn’t going to win.”
Peñalosa said he will be at ringside for the fight. A slot has been reserved for his superfeatherweight protégé Michael Farenas in the Pacquiao-Margarito program. Farenas will take on Korea’s Jung Hoon Kim in the Peñalosa-Yodsaenkeng undercard and if he wins convincingly, his reward will be a trip to Dallas. Farenas stopped Indonesia’s Simson Butar Butar at 2:19 of the second round in his most recent outing in Mandaluyong two months ago.
“I’m confident Manny will beat Margarito,” said Peñalosa. “Manny will be ready for a hard fight. Whatever Margarito brings to the ring, Manny will be able to handle. I don’t think Margarito has the ability to stop Manny from moving. He’s Manny’s kind of opponent because he’ll go in there to engage, not like (Joshua) Clottey. We’ll see an exciting, action-packed fight.”
Peñalosa, 38, was offered to fight Mexican Olympian Abner Mares in the Sugar Shane Mosley-Sergio Mora undercard at the Staples Center in Los Angeles last Saturday but turned it down.
“My dream was to retire a world champion,” he said. “Fighting Mares wouldn’t get me closer to making my dream come true. I wanted (Fernando) Montiel or at least a warrior like Jorge Arce but the big-name fighters stayed away. I don’t know why they’re avoiding me.”
With time catching up on Peñalosa and a world title shot nowhere in the horizon, Peñalosa decided to end his career in a fight that he will produce for TV on Oct. 10 with the assistance of Zamboanga Rep. Erbie Fabian. Peñalosa will not receive a purse for the fight, in the traditional sense; instead, he acquired the TV rights.
“This is definitely my last fight and I want to make it meaningful by giving the earnings to Z Gorres,” said Peñalosa, referring to the Mandaue contender who survived a brain operation in Las Vegas last year and is now undergoing occupational therapy in Cebu. “Sen. Lito Lapid is supporting the project. We want to help our boxers after their careers are over. We are timing our project with the celebration of the fiesta of Nuestra Senora La Virgen del Pilar in Zamboanga City.”
Another Filipino favorite in the undercard is lightweight Jimrex Jaca who battles Korea’s Jong Yoon Choi.
Peñalosa is coming off back-to-back losses to Juan Manuel Lopez in Aguascalientes, Mexico, and Eric Morel in Las Vegas. He has figured in only four fights the last 2 1/2 years. Before losing to Lopez in April last year, Peñalosa had won three in a row, including a dramatic seventh round disposal of Mexico’s Jhonny Gonzalez for the WBO bantamweight belt. His record is 54-8-2, with 36 KOs.
Yodsaenkeng, 22, was only nine months old when Peñalosa turned pro in 1989. The former WBC Youth lightflyweight titleholder, nicknamed “The Robot,” has never been beaten by a Filipino, defeating the three whom he has met – Niño Suelo, Robert Rubillar and Richard Garcia. His record is 12-2, with eight KOs.
“I love boxing,” said Peñalosa. “It’s my life. But I also want to spend more quality time with my wife Goody and two kids. I’ve decided to finally retire and my farewell fight will be against Yodsaenkeng for the benefit of Gorres. It’s the best way I know how to end my career.”
By Joaquin Henson
My Blog List
-
Where Can I Watch Dinagyang Festival 2012 Live in Iloilo City? - I'm so excited to watch the *Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2012 in Iloilo City *but where can I watch it live? I'm not going to join other to go to the City P...
-
-
Disclaimer
This blog (Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito) is made to give the latest news and updates of the upcoming fight between the 7-times world champion and fighter of the decade Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines and the former champion Antonio Margarito from Mexico.
The Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito's blog is not responsible for copyrighted contents like articles, videos and photos. All contents are located around the net for free for all readers and hoppers. This blog will give links or refers the sources of each original articles, videos, and photos where they came from.
Manny Pacquiao vs Antonio Margarito bout will take place on November 13, 2010 at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The bout will be the vacant light middleweight title match. The said Pacquiao vs Margarito bout will be the main event in super welterweight fight in a catch-weight. The Pacquiao-Margarito fight will be presented by HBO sports for live streaming on pay-per-view. Lets get ready to rumble!
You'll want to add a facebook button to your blog. I just bookmarked this article, although I had to complete it manually. Simply my $.02 :)
- Robson
Posted on December 15, 2010 at 11:24 PM