Gerry "FEARLESS" Peñalosa tells JuanMa:"Be ready"

[ElTerribleMorales]

Lopez holds the WBO title. It's extremely difficult to call him a champion and keep a straight face. Hell I can't do it.

Gonzalez is a good fighter. But no one was calling him the next great superstar like there doing Lopez. Not only that, but any knowledgeable fan knew Gonzalez was having difficulty making weight for some time. Him being stopped by a body shot was not exactly shocking. Penalosa was at the right place at the right time.

OK good points... but Rican fans would not like those comments...
.

LOL. Like I give a damn. Seriously though. If he's a true fan he'll know exactly what I'm talking about. And agree with it. If he's just a mindless Lopez groupie than your right he won't like them

seeing how i don't judge fighters by race, i don't think that has anything to do with it, there is no shame in losing to Penalosa, and it definately doesn't make you overrated

[XaduBoxer]

OK good points... but Rican fans would not like those comments...
.

LOL. Like I give a damn. Seriously though. If he's a true fan he'll know exactly what I'm talking about. And agree with it. If he's just a mindless Lopez groupie than your right he won't like them

seeing how i don't judge fighters by race, i don't think that has anything to do with it, there is no shame in losing to Penalosa, and it definately doesn't make you overrated

Sorry about the "Rican fans"... I should have said "JuanMa fans"...
.

[ElTerribleMorales]

LOL. Like I give a damn. Seriously though. If he's a true fan he'll know exactly what I'm talking about. And agree with it. If he's just a mindless Lopez groupie than your right he won't like them

seeing how i don't judge fighters by race, i don't think that has anything to do with it, there is no shame in losing to Penalosa, and it definately doesn't make you overrated

Sorry about the "Rican fans"... I should have said "JuanMa fans"...
.

nothing to do with Juanma either, nobody who loses to Penalosa has anything to be ashamed of

[XaduBoxer]

Lopez made-to-order for Peñalosa?

Although WBO superbantamweight champion Juan Manuel Lopez is unbeaten and boasts an intimidating record of 24-0, with 22 KOs, challenger Gerry Peñalosa said the other day he’s confident of wresting the crown when they face off at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, on April 25.

Lopez was only five years old when Peñalosa turned pro in 1989 and is making the third defense of the title he took from Daniel Ponce de Leon on a first round knockout last year.

Peñalosa, 36, said Lopez’ come-forward style suits him just fine.

“He’s made-to-order for me,” he noted. “He’s a southpaw and so am I. I think it’s easier for me to fight a southpaw. I won my first title (WBC superflyweight) by beating a southpaw (Hiroshi Kawashima) and Ponce de Leon, also a southpaw, couldn’t hit me. I will be patient against Lopez who’s very inexperienced. I’ll wait for him to get careless. I’ll use a lot of head and lateral movement. The key is stamina.”

Peñalosa is now training at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles with Freddie Roach. He reports for workouts at 11 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. when Manny Pacquiao checks in to train until 3 p.m. Roach takes care of his other fighters, like Bernabe Concepcion who challenges WBO featherweight titlist Steve Luevano on May 2, from 3 to 5 p.m.

“Lopez is a little slow and I’ll exploit that,” continued Peñalosa. “I’ll use my quickness to keep him from landing. He doesn’t have much of a jab because he likes to brawl. My defense will be tight. I’ll adjust during the fight. If Plan A doesn’t work, I’ll go to Plan B. My advantage is experience.”

Peñalosa said he’s not averse to mixing it up.

“I know I’m the challenger,” he said. “This is the fight I’ve been waiting for. I don’t have much time left as I plan to retire at the end of the year. After I beat Lopez, I’ll do one defense or fight a big money bout against either Rafael Marquez or Israel Vazquez.”

What may hold Peñalosa back is lack of activity. Lopez has logged 10 fights the last two years compared to only four for Peñalosa. But Lopez has hardly been tested as his last three fights ended in the first round. Of his 22 wins by stoppage, 10 came in the opening round.

Peñalosa’s most recent outing ended in a 10-round decision over German Meraz last Feb. 21 while Lopez disposed of Sergio Medina last December. After losing in 98 seconds, Medina claimed he took a dive, fearing for his life. But the Argentinian subsequently recanted.

“I watched Lopez being interviewed before he fought Ponce de Leon and I found him cocky,” said Peñalosa. “I’ll try to teach him a lesson. This is a big test for me, considering he’s 25 and I’m 36. But if I can take him to 10 rounds or more, I’ll have a good chance of winning. I like my chances. He might be stronger but if he can’t connect, it won’t matter.”

Peñalosa has never been knocked out. Of his five losses on points, three were by split decision. He’s not only durable but extremely hard to hit.

Only two fighters went the distance with Lopez. One was Mexican Gilberto Bolanos who was knocked out by Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista in six three years ago. The other was equally unheralded Sergio Mendez.

Former WBC secretary-general Rudy Salud said he would be surprised if Lopez knocks out Peñalosa.

“Gerry’s too slick,” said Salud. “Even if he fights Mike Tyson or Lennox Lewis, he’ll still be hard to hit because he moves so well. You’ll miss more than often than you’ll connect. Of course, there’s such a thing as a lucky punch but against Gerry, that will come once in a blue moon.”

Salud said Peñalosa uses different tactics to throw off an opponent’s rhythm.

“I’ve seen Gerry bury his head on an opponent’s chest so there’s no way he’ll be hit,” said Salud. “Even as he’s now 36 with 62 fights, he’s not banged up. It won’t be an easy defense for Lopez.”

[Killa From Manila]

I fear for the FEARLESS. But people shouldn't count him out. Juanma is an excellent fighter. But I don't think he encountered someone technical tactician like Gerry. May the best man win.

[XaduBoxer]

Juanma on weight; vows KO!



WBO junior featherweight champion Juan Manuel ‘Juanma’ Lopez (24-0, 22 KOs) is all smiles as he easily made the 30 day weight limit for his April 25th showdown with WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Peñalosa (54-6-2, 36 KOs). The 30 day minimum weight requirement was 140.3 pounds. Lopez scaled 134 which is just 12 pounds over the 122 pound contracted weight limit with still about a month to go until the official weigh-in. Peñalosa has never been stopped inside the distance in 62 professional bouts. Lopez looks to become the first to TKO or KO Peñalosa. “I’m hoping I can stop him by the 5th or 6th round,” said Lopez. The bout titled ‘Champion vs. Champion’ will be promoted by PR Best Boxing (Ivan & Peter Rivera) & Top Rank. The site for the fight will be the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. HBO will televise. Tickets can be purchased by phone at 787-792-5000.

[Galaxy]

It think Penalosa will be tough all the way but I think Lopez will get him late!

[XaduBoxer]

IMO, JuanMa will commit some mistakes due to his inexperience and due to the mounting pressure to look very good against the aging veteran... the pressure to KO Gerry and the pressure to perform well infront of his countrymen will push JuanMa to make some mistakes...

Mistakes that Peñalosa will surely capitalize...
.

[XaduBoxer]

Latest update:

With about a week to go before their showdown WBO Junior featherweight champion Juan Manuel ‘Juanma’ Lopez (24-0, 22 KOs) and WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa (54-6-2, 36 KOs) easily made the 7 day pre weigh-in limit. Lopez scaled in at 126.2 pounds while Penalosa scaled in at 126 even. “Champion vs. Champion’ will take place at the Coliseo Rubén Rodr�*guez in Bayamón, Puerto Rico Saturday April 25th.

Top Rank and PR Best Boxing(Ivan & Peter Rivera) will promote the event while HBO will televise. Tickets can still be purchased by calling the Ticket Center at (787) 792-5000 or in person Monday April 20th at the Coliseo Rubén Rodr�*guez from 10AM-5PM.

[XaduBoxer]

FEARLESS: "I will surprise JuanMa..."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=As4-2mGoL2w

[XaduBoxer]

Peñalosa: "JuanMa will go down..."

WBO bantamweight king and now super bantamweight challenger Gerry Peñalosa said he will give Juan Manuel “JuanMa” Lopez his first taste of defeat when they clash on April 25.
Peñalosa said he is so confident of his chances against Lopez, the reigning WBO super bantamweight champion, that he wanted to fight JuanMa right away.

"I can fight tomorrow if necessary. So I feel good for what will be the most important fight of my career,” said the Filipino boxer in a report by Puerto Rican news daily El Nuevo Dia.

The 25-year-old Lopez remains unbeaten in 24 fights. Twenty-two of those fights were won by knock out.
Peñalosa, on the other hand, is a veteran of 62 fights. He won 54 of those matches and lost six times in his 20-year boxing career.

The two boxers will meet up at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez, Bayamon in Lopez’s home country Puerto Rico.

The 36-year-old Peñalosa said he is excited to show off the results of his training with coach Freddie Roach.
“Freddie is a demanding trainer and well disciplined. During the morning, he works with me with my preparation for the fight, and in the evening he works with Manny Pacquiao. That has worked very well so far and he will be in my corner. I feel confident that I can beat Lopez," he said.

[XaduBoxer]

Team Peñalosa arrived in Puerto Rico ...

They brought bombs inside that attache case...

[Killa From Manila]

LOPEZ-PENALOSA PRESSCON PHOTOS

PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 23 Apr 2009


SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico -- WBO superbantam champion Juan Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico (L) and WBO bantam champion Gerry Penalosa of the Philippines pose after 'Campeon vs Campeon' press conference at the El San Juan Hotel in Isla Verde, San Juan Wednesday afternoon. Lopez and Penalosa will fight on Saturday at the Coliseo Rubern Rodriquez in Guaybano for Lopez's belt.


WBO superbantam champion Juan Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico (L) and WBO bantam champion Gerry Penalosa of the Philippines face each other after 'Campeon vs Campeon' press conference at the El San Juan Hotel in Isla Verde, San Juan Wednesday afternoon. Lopez and Penalosa will fight on Saturday at the Coliseo Rubern Rodriquez in Guaybano for Lopez's belt.


WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa of the Philippines speaks during the 'Campeon vs Campeon' press conference at the El San Juan Hotel & Casino in Isla Verde, San Juan Wednesday afternoon. Lopez and Penalosa will fight on Saturday at the Coliseo Rubern Rodriquez in Guaybano for Lopez's belt.


WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa of Philippines (R) shakes hands with WBO superbantam champion Juan Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico during the 'Campeon vs Campeon' press conference at the El San Juan Hotel & Casino in Isla Verde, San Juan Wednesday afternoon. Lopez and Penalosa will fight on Saturday at the Coliseo Rubern Rodriquez in Guaybano for Lopez's belt.


WBO superbantam champion Juan Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico speaks during the 'Campeon vs Campeon' press conference at the El San Juan Hotel & Casino in Isla Verde, San Juan Wednesday afternoon. Lopez and Penalosa will fight on Saturday at the Coliseo Rubern Rodriquez in Guaybano for Lopez's belt.


Gerry Penalosa's manager Billy Keanne speaks during the 'Campeon vs Campeon' press conference at the El San Juan Hotel & Casino in Isla Verde, San Juan Wednesday afternoon. Lopez and Penalosa will fight on Saturday at the Coliseo Rubern Rodriquez in Guaybano for Lopez's belt.


WBO President Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel speaks during the 'Campeon vs Campeon' press conference at the El San Juan Hotel & Casino in Isla Verde, San Juan Wednesday afternoon. Lopez and Penalosa will fight on Saturday at the Coliseo Rubern Rodriquez in Guaybano for Lopez's belt.

[XaduBoxer]

Looks like the young, bit raw and less experienced JuanMa is uncomfortable infront of "FEARLESS" Peñalosa...

[Killa From Manila]

Looks like the young, bit raw and less experienced JuanMa is uncomfortable infront of "FEARLESS" Peñalosa...

My confident level for Gerry winning the fight went from 3, and now 7. I just finished watching Lopez-DeLeon, Lopez-Medina, Penalosa-Gonzalez, and Penalosa-Vorapin. I came to conclusion that it will be a long night for Juanma. Difinitely he's a tailor made for Gerry. I think he's gonna take Juanma too school and box him beatifully and knock him out in 10th or 11th round!