IT’S TOO late, there’s no way we can stop it now, so let’s all join hands and pray, fervently please, that Gerry Peñalosa comes out of the mismatch in one piece.
Dear Gerry, an old, fading street car, has been ranged against a great, gleaming lamppost.
Other than the discrepancy, they’ll also do battle in Puerto Rico, not in a neutral street corner.
If we still have time – they fight tomorrow – let’s all petition the health officer in Bayamon, not too far from the birthplace of Juan Manuel Lopez in Caguas, to make sure an ambulance is on stand by.
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There’s a strong likelihood of an accident, a cruel collision.
The street car could predictably end up crushed, in ruins.
It’s an awesome task Gerry has taken against a young, unbeaten (24-0, 22 KOs) champion.
JuanMa, who took out Boom Boom Bautista executioner Daniel Ponce de Leon in less than one round in June 2008, has the menacing reputation of a torpedo.
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He had knocked out, rather quickly, all his past three opponents.
And not one among these victims was as small and old as poor Gerry.
They call it campeon contra campeon, Gerry, 36, is the WBO bantamweight champion, Lopez, 25, the WBO super bantamweight king.
That’s a difference of only four pounds-118 against 122.
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But the eleven-year gap should explain why Gerry has been given only two chances: Slim and none.
No, they’re not trying to relive the days of imperial Rome, when slaves were left to be mangled by hungry lions out in the Coliseum.
Common sense dictates that these two boxers should not clash inside the ring.
The final outcome could result into a probe on how the WBO conducts business.
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Hold it. Peñalosa, rudely labeled Geri-atric by Internet pundits, now says he knows whereof he stands.
He could also be branded a masochist, but Gerry says he’s all set to spring boxing’s surprise of the year.
Based on his last outing in Cebu, when Peñalosa (54-6, 36 KOs) failed to nail down a retreating simpleton, Gerry may not be able to give a serious chase in Puerto Rico tomorrow.
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But one thing augurs well for Gerry, the awful underdog.
Lopez is not the sort who uses a bike inside the ring.
The Puerto Rican champ, in unloading his bombs, tends to charge and bulldoze through enemy path.
Yes, it’s a fantasy trip Gerry will be taking.
The good thing is he visibly has got a precious little left in him.
He could also expose and shame Lopez if he can recall the sharpness he used against Daniel Ponce de Leon, whom he rendered silly for 12 rounds, only to be robbed of a points win.
Let’s also pray Gerry brings again into battle that wish of his father, Carl Peñalosa – ingat, tiyaga, isang madiin – which he followed to stop Jhonny Gonzales during the last boxing World Cup won by the Philippines over Mexico in Sacramento, California.
The awful odds point to the danger of Gerry landing in Damnation Valley.
But, despite the years, this fearless Filipino warrior could well make it to Disneyland.
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(WELLNESS: Alternative medicine expert and Wellness Institute founder Dr. Christine EV Gonzales launches her first book, ‘Yes, You Can Prevent and Control Cancer’ today, 9 a.m., at the Ching Tan Conference Hall of the Gokongwei Management Complex of the Ateneo de Manila University. Please call tel. 6317794 or text 0918-9337577.)
