Champion versus Champion

Veteran Filipino WBO Bantamweight Champion Gerry Penalosa (54-6-2) will climb the ring tonight a heavy underdog against Puerto Rican sensation and WBO Junior Featherweight Champion Juan Manuel Lopez (24-0) in the latter's hometown hoping to turn back the time and win his third world title in three different weight divisions.

It's a tall order for him though since JuanMa is a very heavy- handed fighter and is undefeated in 24 professional fights with 22 inside the distance aside from the fact that Gerry is moving up in weight at this late stage of his career.

The Puerto Rican Champion is the taller, bigger and faster fighter with impressive knockout victories in the first round in his last three fights including one with erstwhile Champion Daniel Ponce De Leon of Mexico who defeated the Filipino via a unanimous decision in 2007.

If style makes fight then JuanMa's style is tailor-made for Penalosa though. JuanMa comes forward, loves to mix it up inside and sometimes throws wild punches which makes him susceptible to Gerry's counter punches.

And if Gerry can withstand the powerful bombs early and carry the fight into the later rounds, his chances of a huge upset is plausible since JuanMa has never been really tested by a fighter of his class.

I'm picking Gerry to win the fight in the 10th.


UPDATE: Freddie Roach, Gerry Penalosa's Trainer stopped the fight in the ninth round to spare his ward from more punishment. Gerry was game and fought a defensive but courageous fight in his second foray at 122 lbs but JuanMa was simply too fast and too big for him.

JuanMa is the real deal and will be a force to reckon with in his division but he needs to work more on his defense as Gerry was able to tag him with several right hooks as he came forward in the course of the fight.