Quote Originally Posted by SaddoBoxer View Post
It’s hard to find a fan or boxing writer who will give Penalosa much of a shot of upsetting Lopez.

Maybe it’s because at 36, Penalosa is 11 years older than Lopez. Perhaps it’s the belief that the Filipino veteran’s 62-bout pro career, which has spanned 20 years, has taken its toll on his body.

If the perception is that Penalosa is an “old man,” fans who tune into the Boxing After Dark broadcast might be in for a surprise.

Penalosa (54-6-2, 36 KOs) is one of the sport’s most well-preserved world-class veterans. The Philippines-born southpaw is a complete fighter with skill, technique and athleticism that is on par with elite advanced-age fighters like Bernard Hopkins, Juan Manuel Marquez and Shane Mosley.

Penalosa also possesses a warrior’s heart that matches those pound-for-pound entrants, and he truly believes his combination of skill, experience and courage will be enough to upset the young KO artist.

“Lopez has never met a boxer like me,” Penalosa said. “He’s never fought anyone with my experience. I think he’s had easy opponents until now. This time is for real. He’s fighting a real a fighter. I’m a real veteran of boxing.”

That’s an understatement.

Penalosa believes he can beat Lopez in a number of ways.

“I will surprise him,” Penalosa said of Lopez. “We have a plan A, B and C. I could fight him for 15 rounds if I had to.”

Many hardcore fans and knowledgeable boxing writers don’t expect Penalosa to last 12 rounds.

However, Penalosa has never been knocked out or even knocked down in his pro career.

And a true veteran like Penalosa can never be counted out.

yea he can, after he's dropped by either a brutal right hook or a huge straight left it'll go something like 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 YOU'RE OUT!