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Peñalosa: I’m still good for one last fight


MANILA, Philippines – Veteran Gerry Peñalosa feels he has one more fight left in him. Peñalosa, who took a severe beating at the hands of Puerto Rican sensation Juan Manuel Lopez last April, wants to fight one last time before he finally retires. The 36-year-old Filipino, who gave up his World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight crown to take a shot at Lopez' super-bantam title, said he wants to hang up his gloves as a champion. To do so, he said he must fight the winner between Fernando Montiel and Erik Morel who will square off on June 27 in New Jersey for the title vacated by Peñalosa. “I want the winner of that fight. And if I win, then I can retire as a champion. That's what I want to do," Peñalosa said during Tuesday’s at the PSA Forum. A lot of people, including members of his family and his dear friend, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, are calling on Peñalosa to call quit boxing already, saying he has nothing more to prove in the brutal sport. “I would like to thank all the people who show concern for me. But I am asking for one more fight. Win or lose, I will retire after that fight. And I want that fight to take place in the Philippines," said Peñalosa. The two-division titlist proved too small at 122-lbs for Lopez, and was overwhelmed by the younger, stronger fighter from Puerto Rico, who landed 421 power punches before trainer Freddie Roach called for the stoppage after nine rounds. “He (Lopez) was too big for me. I felt his punches. But I hope he wasn't lying after the fight when he said he felt my punches, too. I was the underdog but I gave it my best. I trained hard for that fight," he said. A fight showdown with Montiel, who defeated Filipino Z Gorres last year, is what Peñalosa's looking at. “I'd like to get that fight so I can avenge the loss of Gorres. And I want it staged in our country so for one more time I can fight before my countrymen. If I win the crown, then I will retire as the champion," he declared. Peñalosa also talked about Pacquiao's next fight, possibly against WBA welterweight champion Shane Mosley. “It will be a big challenge for Manny if he fights Mosley at 144 lb. But if that happens, I'm sure Manny will give his best," said Penalosa. He is hoping that Roach will understand his feeling, and hoped that the American mentor will train him in his farewell fight. “Coach Freddie told me after the Lopez fight that I'm too small at 122 lb. and so I want to fight Montiel or Morel at 118. That will be my last fight. And I'm not going to fight just for the money," Peñalosa said. Whoever wins between Montiel and Morel will have 90 days to defend the crown, and Peñalosa is keeping his fingers crossed he could get that fight for his swansong. – GMANews.TV
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