Juan Manuel Lopez Vs Gerry Peñalosa on April 24, 2009

German Meraz, 22, former Mexican Pacific Coast flyweight champion has the most unusual monicker -- "Panteonero," which in the Philippines means somebody who handles tombs in the cemetery.


On Feb. 21, at the Mandaue City Sports Center, Meraz will not be working on anything related to death. On the contrary, he will perform the unenviable task of making sure that his opponent -- World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion will be fit and will survive his April 24 fight against the sensational Juan Manuel Lopez of Puerto Rico.

"Gerry's fight against Juama Lopez will be a matter of life or death for his career. He loses to Lopez, it will all be over for Gerry," said North Cotabato Vice Gov. Manny Pinol who is helping the 36-year-old Penalosa prepare for the toughest fight of his career by staging a tune-up bout for the Filipino champion against Meraz.

"It is not easy to find an opponent for Gerry because whoever will be taken in knows that he will be used as a prop to prepare the champion for the bigger fight against Lopez," said Pinol, whose boys from Mindanao will also see action in the undercard of a boxing event called "Battle of the Best Bantamweights."

Meraz may just be a tune up opponent for Penalosa, but he is expected to give the Filipino a tough time. He stands 5' 6" and fights like Johnny Gonzales.

"If he moves a lot, then I will pursue him," said Penalosa, who is now training in Baguio City, when informed of the fighting style of Panteonero Meraz.

The former Mexican champion holds a record of 20 wins against 11 loses. He once held the Mexican Pacific Coast flyweight title but has since relinquished it to move up in weight category.

Penalosa had earlier expressed interest in fighting Heriberto Ruiz but was informed that the Mexican fighter, who made a name by defeating Rey Boom Boom Bautista, has a scheduled fight in March in Canada.

The name of Hector Velasquez, who lost to Manny Pacquiao but won over younger brother Bobby, was also mentioned but he could not go down to 122 lbs.

Also appearing in the Feb. 21 card, which will be carried by ABS CBN and its international network, The Filipino Channel, are bantamweights Rolando "Smooth Operator" Magbanua who fights Mexico's Jose Angel Cota for the Interim WBO bantamweight title, Jundy "Pretty Boy" Maraon who goes up against compatriot Jason Igera for the WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight crown and Glenn "The Rock" Porras who fights Thailand's Daothon Sissuey in 10 rounds.

 

Lopez is gonna ko his ass

 

lopez by decision. gerry is a tough guy with a good chin, i don't think juanma will ko him. i'm rooting for penalosa though

 

Lopez is explosive. I see him catching Penalosa, unless Penalosa can escape the early onslught, he has a chance to pull a close decision.

 

Lopez by UD. Penaloza is too slick to get koed. He has to KO Lopez if he wants to win.

 

I figure Pensalosa will have his moments but Lopez is too young, quick and explosive to be denied on this one.

 

lopez via tko. too big and strong for someone like penalosa. also lopez is in his prime while penalosa is on his way out. penalosa is a skilled fighter with impregnable defense but i'm afraid that he bite this time more than he can chew. i hope penalosa will prove me wrong.

 

YUP!! And to hungry, this guy is gonna give us a lot of great matches

 

I think that's a very good fight, although I would've preferred Lopez vs. Caballero or Jhonny Gonzalez, Penalosa is too small for a SBW. I don't know how good will he look after a year lay-off, not the best thing for a 36 years old.

 

Peñalosa deserves props for taking on Juan Manuel. I'm picking Lopez by stoppage.

 

You don't know what you're talking about mate . . . Penaloza is the guy who made a target practice out of Ponce De Leon's face . . . only to be robbed of a decission win.

. . . he was also the guy who was lagging behind on the 2 judges scorecards against Jhonny Gonzales only to knock him out via body punch in the 7th round.

53 wins ( 36 KO's) - 6 loses all by points. If JuanMa's gonna win it's gonna be on points not KO. :deal

 

good finally penalosa gets to fight one of the young warrior at 122. I'll go for lopez with a majority decision win. Penalosa has a good defense and has never been knockout so dont expect lopez to do it. Penalosa is like winky wright.. boring but have great defense.

 

agree obviously not many people here know gerry penalosa well. He has never been knockout and have a great defense much like winky wright.

 

yes i know that penalosa was not yet stopped in his career and most people on this site tend to pick lopez by ko without knowing much of penalosa but i just feel that lopez would be the much bigger and stronger man that he he could give penalosa his first stoppage loss in his career. i see it as an accumulation stoppage where penalosa's corner would throw in the towel. but i really hope penalosa would give a great, could be last performance.

 

Penalosa is warrior and his trainer is his brother. I doubt anyone in his corner will throw anything in.