Z. Gerry, AJ & Boom Boom

By Al S. Mendoza

THERE was one spectacular aspect in our 5-1 victory over Mexico in the Boxing World Cup in Sacramento, California, on Sunday (Aug. 12).

And   it’s this: The knockout wins of  Z Gorres and Gerry Peñalosa.

Like many of our so-called grizzled boxing experts, I also didn’t expect Gorres and Penalosa to win. 

But they won-and by knockout, mind you.

In TV interviews I had granted ABS-CBN and ANC before the fights, I said I didn’t expect Gorres and Peñalosa to win at all, although I added their only chance of winning was by knockout.

Which they did-and I was completely stunned. Happily stunned, I mean.

The two won because they metamorphosed from being passive boxers to active fighters.

Whereas before Gorres and Peñalosa would content themselves with fighting not as aggressively, this time, they did the reverse.

In my TV interviews, I said Gorres has all the qualities of a good fighter: He is stylish, knows how to defend and lands punches the correct way.

The only thing lacking in him is a burning desire to score a win by mixing it up.

On Aug. 12, he did what I had wanted him to do.  He brawled with his foe at times, thereby landing huge punches that resulted in a TKO win.

I interviewed Gorres back in 2001 at the Sulo Hotel in Q.C. I told him then that he had the potential to become a world champion.

“Sana magdilang anghel ka, Sir,” he said.

As for Peñalosa, well, I had followed his climb to the top. 

Twice he became world champion in two weight categories. When he lost his crown, thrice he attempted to recapture it. 

Thrice he failed: Once in Korea and twice in Japan.  I covered all his three failed bids.

He lost all three because in those fights, he became scared in engaging the champion to a street fight.

On Aug. 12 in Sacramento, California, he abandoned his old style and became a toe-to-toe fighter-at least to some extent.

In one infighting, Peñalosa landed a crushing blow to the wind pipe of Jhonny Gonzales, who stiffened with pain and crumbled before the referee waived him out.

The knockout win made Peñalosa a world champion again.  For the 35-year-old Peñalosa, it was the sweetest of victories.

The knockout victory of AJ Banal, I had correctly predicted.

This kid-not yet 20-will go places.  He has awesome power. What’s lacking is his defensive skills, which he will surely develop if he’ll listen to his handlers. (Diosdado Gabi and Michael Domingo won on points.)

And Boom Boom Bautista?

Well, his first-round knockout loss was a bitter pill to swallow, so to peak. 

But that should make Boom Boom a better fighter because, at 21 years of age, there’s plenty of time ahead of him to achieve his ultimate dream of becoming a world champion.

His record of 23 wins against only one loss decorated with 21 knockouts is something that makes one destined to reach the top.

Here’s to Philippine boxing, the one sport that truly consistently put our country in the world map.

(For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/general-admission/)

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