SACRAMENTO -- Veteran Gerry Peñalosa was a revelation, but rising Rey ‘Boom Boom’ Bautista was a letdown in the Philippines’ spectacular victory over Mexico in the 2007 Boxing World Cup Sunday at the Arco Arena here.
Peñalosa, the former World Boxing Council (WBC) super-flyweight king, seized the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight title from champion Jhonny Gonzales with a sensational 7th round knockout.
The end came at the 2:45 mark when the 35-year-old Filipino, behind on all the judges’ scorecard, connected on a crunching left hook to the body, sending the Mexican stepping backward before falling on his knees and failing to beat the 10-count.
The inspiring win by Peñalosa capped a near sweep by the Filipinos of the featured six bouts pitting fighters from the two boxing-crazy countries. Z Gorres, A.J. Banal, Michael Domingo and Diosdado Gabi earlier set the tone of the Philippines’ romp by dominating their respective fights that clinched for the country the $500,000 prize purse up for grabs and the shining World Cup trophy.
Unfortunately, the Filipinos can’t win it all.
The unbeaten Bautista run smack against hard-punching champion Daniel Ponce de Leon, brutally knocked out cold in the opening round of their WBO junior featherweight title bout.
Ponce de Leon, now sporting a bald look, came out in his usual fearless style, throwing haymakers and combinations at a retreating Bautista, the well-regarded 21-year-old who’s getting his first title shot.
Just when the round came in its final minute, De Leon landed a right jab-left hook, rocking Bautista wobbly into the ropes. After making the count, referee Jon Schorle allowed the fight to continue with the young Filipino still visibly hurt.
A vicious left by the Mexican champion finished off the challenger with 30 seconds left in the first round.
“This is not for me. This is for Mexico,” Ponce de Leon (32-1, 29 KOs) said through an interpreter after making his fifth successful title defense.
Bautista, a native of Candijay, Bohol, and hyped by many as the next Manny Pacquiao, suffered his first professional defeat after going 23-0 (17 KOs).
But Boom Boom’s loss hardly dented the Filipinos’ triumph, especially Penalosa.
The remaining active fighter of a popular boxing clan from Cebu, Gerry appeared headed towards another failed title bid as Gonzales was in full control of the early part of their 12-round title bout.
Then late in the seventh round, Penalosa, loser to Ponce de Leon by unanimous decision in their title fight last March, caught Gonzales with a powerful left on the side. The Mexican took two steps back in disbelief before crumpling to his knees.
The champ couldn’t get his arms off the ropes before referee Pat Russell’s count.
Penalosa improved to 52-6-2, with 35 KOs, and set up a possible rematch with Ponce de Leon.
Earlier, Gorres scored an eight round technical knockout against former junior flyweight champion Eric Ortiz to bag the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior bantamweight intercontinental title.
Banal, the 18-year-old Filipino prospect (14-0-1, 11 KOs) knocked down Jorge Cardenas early in round three.
In another all-action bout, junior featherweight Michael Domingo defeated previously unbeaten Miguel “Mickey Mouse” Roman (21-1, 15 KOs) in a six-round bout.
Gabi (30-3-1, 21 KOs) set the tone for the Filipinos by winning an exciting unanimous decision over Jose Angel Beranza in an eight-round junior bantamweight bout.
