Connect with us

Articles of 2007

Another Mexico-Philippine War: Ponce de Leon vs. Penalosa

Published

on

Mexico’s powerful Daniel Ponce de Leon defends his WBO junior featherweight against veteran Gerry Penalosa of the Philippines on Saturday. Both are southpaws.

“It’s an interesting match,” says matchmaker Eric Gomez of Golden Boy Promotions.

A rediscovery of the Philippine prizefighter has boxing promoters antsy about matching that country’s fighters with Mexican world champions like Ponce De Leon at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. The fight will be shown on HBO pay-per-view.

Boxing fans seem to perk up now when Mexicans fight Filipinos.

Just a few years ago it was rare to see Filipino prizefighters in this country, but since Manny Pacquiao roared into the scene with a number of big wins, boxing fans realize that the Asian island nation has plenty of talent.

A big wave of Filipino fighters have descended into California with many making the Wild Card Boxing Gym in Hollywood their central headquarters. On any given day there are half a dozen Filipino boxers working out with Freddie Roach and Eric Brown.

Penalosa is one of the veterans of the Filipino fight scene. He captured a world title 10 years ago with a split-decision victory over Hiroshi Kawashima in Tokyo. Now 34 years old, many boxing fans had forgotten the veteran. But the boxer known as “Fearless” has not loss a fight in five years.

“I’m excited about this fight,” says Penalosa (51-5-2, 34 KOs), who formerly held the WBC junior bantamweight title. “This is for a world title. This is the kind of fight I’ve been waiting for.”

During the last two years Penalosa has targeted Ponce De Leon.

“I know his style very well,” Penalosa says. “I’ve fought all kinds of fighters in my career. I know how to box fighters like him.”

Though it’s difficult to fight left-handed boxers, even for left-handers, Penalosa remains confident.

“Southpaws are common in the Philippines,” said Billy King, an advisor to Penalosa. “He has no problems fighting southpaws.”

But can current champion Ponce de Leon handle a crafty veteran like Penalosa?

“I know Ponce de Leon is not pretty to look at and doesn’t have a beautiful style, but he is very strong,” said Joe Hernandez, who manages Ponce de Leon.

The Mexican native Tarahumara Indian has bludgeoned his way through a variety of boxing styles: from peek-a-boo defense first boxers to the raw punishing brawlers, Ponce de Leon has emerged mostly victorious.

“There aren’t any boxers from where I come from,” says Ponce de Leon who often wears his native headdress inside the ring before the fight begins. “I’m the only one from my family or from my area that boxes.”

Because of the void of boxing in his area, Ponce de Leon has literally battered his way to victory. He also made the Mexican Olympic team in 2000.

“I don’t think he’s reached his potential,” said Hernandez who’s managed several world champions including Mike Anchondo and Edwin Valero. “It’s his strength and conditioning that have made him what he is today.”

Only one fighter Celestino Caballero was able to withstand his murderous punches and today that same boxer is the WBA junior featherweight world titleholder. But even Caballero struggled mightily to beat Ponce de Leon by boxing and withstanding heavy blows from the Mexican.

“I don’t think he can take my punches,” Ponce de Leon says confidently. “I’m looking for the quick knockout.”

Penalosa smiles when he hears comments about knockouts.

“I love fighting guys like him,” Penalosa says.

Hopkins cousin

Demetrius Hopkins, who’s a cousin of light heavyweight world champion Bernard Hopkins, meets runner-up to this year’s Contender champion Steve Forbes on one of the pay-per-view fights from Las Vegas this Saturday. The USBA junior welterweight title is at stake.

Forbes lost by decision to Grady Brewer at the Staples Center this past September. He’s a former junior lightweight world titleholder but is now fighting as a junior welterweight.

The rise of Hopkins to the top of the junior welterweight list has been a tedious adventure. At first his seemingly lack of power made each bout contentious. But his skills and inner toughness kept him undefeated. But in the last year the Philadelphia boxer has discovered his power.

Can Forbes withstand a taller and stronger fighter like Hopkins? That’s the real question. There’s no doubt he has the boxing skills, but moving up too far in weight makes it a more level playing field for his opponents. He can’t hurt them.

Klitschko wins big

Wladimir Klitschko burrowed through Ray Austin’s meager defense like a scythe through wheat. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

It took two rounds to discover that Austin didn’t belong in the same ring with Klitschko who was making his second defense of the IBF heavyweight title.

Now who’s next?

Right across the Ukraine border lives WBA heavyweight titleholder Nicolai Valuev, the seven-foot giant from Russia who’s begging for a showdown with Klitschko. It makes a lot of sense.

For one thing a match between these two former Soviet boxers can showcase the heavyweight talent coming out of that area. Along with Valuev and Klitschko, there’s WBC titleholder Oleg Maskaev and Wladimir’s big brother Vitali Klitschko who’s is out of retirement.

If that’s not enough there’s Sultan Ibragimov who blitzed through Orange County’s Javier “Monster” Mora in 46 seconds last Saturday. Ibragimov comes from Russia too and was supposed to meet WBO heavyweight titleholder Shannon Briggs. But the champion contracted pneumonia and was unable to fight.

This year should be a pretty interesting development for heavyweights, if they agree to fight each other.

Fights on television

Fri. ESPN2, 6 p.m., Vlademir Pereira (24-1) vs. Eric Aiken (16-5).

Fri. Telefutura, 8 p.m., Celestino Caballero (25-2) vs. Ricardo Castillo (27-3).

Sat. HBO pay-per-view, 6 p.m., Marco Antonio Barrera (63-4) vs. Juan Manuel Marquez (46-3-1); Daniel Ponce de Leon (30-1) vs. Gerry Penalosa (51-5-2); Demetrius Hopkins (25-0-1) vs. Steve Forbes (32-4).

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement Ad - Web Hosting from SiteGround - Crafted for easy site management. Click to learn more.
Advertisement Ad - SiteGround Web Hosting - Crafted for easy site management. Amazing Speed; Powerful Tools; Top-rated support. Learn more.

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles6 days ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

Results-and-Recaps-from-NYC-where-Hamzah-Sheeraz-was-Spectacular
Featured Articles5 days ago

Results and Recaps from NYC where Hamzah Sheeraz was Spectacular

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles1 week ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles6 days ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

Paro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Gibbons
Featured Articles3 days ago

From the Boondocks to the Big Time, The Wild Saga of Manny Pacquiao’s Sidekick Sean Gibbons

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Boxing-Odds-and-Ends-Tom-and-Jerry-Fights-Kid-Rwist-and-More
Featured Articles51 minutes ago

Boxing Odds and Ends: Tom-and-Jerry Fights, Kid Twist and More

From-HEALING-to-Hate-Muhammad-Ali-Fred-Levin-and-Florida
Featured Articles1 day ago

The Hauser Report: From HEALING to Hate — Muhammad Ali, Fred Levin, and Florida

Gibbons
Featured Articles3 days ago

From the Boondocks to the Big Time, The Wild Saga of Manny Pacquiao’s Sidekick Sean Gibbons

Results-and-Recaps-from-NYC-where-Hamzah-Sheeraz-was-Spectacular
Featured Articles5 days ago

Results and Recaps from NYC where Hamzah Sheeraz was Spectacular

Results-and-Recaps-from-New-York-Where-Taylor-edged-Serrano-Once-Again
Featured Articles6 days ago

Results and Recaps from New York Where Taylor Edged Serrano Once Again

Philadelphia-Welterweight-Gil-Turner-a-Phenom-Now-Rests-in-an-Unmarked-Grave
Featured Articles6 days ago

Philadelphia Welterweight Gil Turner, a Phenom, Now Rests in an Unmarked Grave

Avila-Perspecrive-Chap-334-Back-to-Back-Boxing-Cards-in-the-Big-Apple
Featured Articles1 week ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 334: Back-to-Back Boxing Cards in the Big Apple

From-a-Sympathetic-Figure-to-a-Pariah-The Travails-of-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr
Featured Articles1 week ago

From a Sympathetic Figure to a Pariah: The Travails of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr

Catterall-vs-Eubank-Ends-Prematurely-Catterall-Wins-a-Technical-Decision
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Catterall vs Eubank Ends Prematurely; Catterall Wins a Technical Decision

Avila-Perspective-Chap-333-Jake-Paul-JC-Chavez-Jr-Zurdo-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 333: Jake Paul, JC Chavez Jr, Zurdo and More

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending