MNLF boxers to train with RP team coaches

THE six Moro National Liberation Front boxers competing in the landmark Boxing for Peace and Understanding tournament next month at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium will be working directly under the supervision of the Philippine team coaches.

This was bared yesterday by Ed Picson, executive director of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, saying the MNLF boxers, who will pit ring prowess with bets from the Armed Forces of the Philippines – Army, Navy and Air Force – and the Philippine National Police, will be brought straight to the National Training Center for Boxing at the Philippine Sports Commission facility in Baguio City upon their arrival from Cotabato next week.

“They will get a feel of what it’s like,” said Picson. “In effect, they will be training with the national boxers.”

Head coach Pat Gaspi and assistant Boy Velasco will oversee the MNLF boxers’ training, Picson said.

The three-day friendly tournament was conceived by Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo during the appointment of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao as ambassador for peace and unity a couple of months ago, an affair also attended by Philippine Sports Commission chair Harry Angping.

“With this novel concept, it is hoped amateur boxing can be an instrument to national peace,” said Picson.

Pres. Arroyo – with Pacquiao, Angping, ABAP chairman Manny V. Pangilinan and ABAP president Ricky Vargas also in attendance – will be the guest of honor during the formal launching of the tournament on July 8 to coincide with the inauguration of the PSC-ABAP boxing gym and offices at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The newly-built, two-story building houses fully-airconditioned sleeping quarters downstairs and modern boxing facilities, including a brand new ring, on the second floor. -Philippine Boxing News

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70/30

By Gerry Ramos

IT appears getting a deal done for a Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto showdown is not going to be a breeze than Top Rank Promotions’ Bob Arum expects it to be.

The camp of Manny Pacquiao insisted on Monday night that the Filipino boxing superstar get the bigger share of the pie in his proposed fight with the Puerto Rican champion, while stressing the catch weight should be between 144 to 145 pounds.

“We’ll not accept the fight if it is not going to be a 65-35 split in our favor,” said Pacquiao lawyer Franklin Gacal, who was with the world pound-for-pound king during the ribbon-cutting rite for a downtown hotel and casino in Manila together with chief of staff Jake Joson and business manager Eric Pineda.

Trainer Freddie Roach has also been batting for a bigger share by Pacquiao, even raising the ante by declaring that the General Santos City native deserves a 70-30 purse split.

Gacal, meanwhile, said that a catch weight lower than 144-145, if possible, would even be better for them.

“Kung puwede pa ngang mag-142, e di pipigain pa namin yan,” he said, well aware Cotto is definitely not going down lower at 144 and has not fought below the welterweight limit of 147 since 2006.

Pacquiao kept silent for most of the time, opting to take a look first at the proposal laid out by Arum to his Canadian adviser Michael Koncz.

Koncz had a meeting with Arum over the weekend at the promoter’s home in Las Vegas and has yet to present to Pacquiao the details of the proposal.

But he wants the fight to be held on October 17 and not November 14 as scheduled by Arum.

He would start training at the Wild Card gym by mid-August should Arum accedes to his request for an earlier ring return.

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Manny V. Pangilinan, president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (4th from left) welcomes AIBA Women’s Commission vice chairman Nieva Embuldeniya and her husband Herbert (2nd from left) during a courtesy call made at the PLDT office in Makati. Also present (from left) are ABAP executive director Ed Picson, president Ricky Vargas, and secretary-general Patrick Gregorio.






A University of Santo Tomas graduate and native of Lallo, Cagayan Province holds the key to the inclusion of women's boxing in the Olympic Games.
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Nieva Embuldeniya (nee Tesoro) has been appointed by Dr. Ching Kuo Wu, president of the Amateur International Boxing Association, vice chairman of the AIBA Women’s Commission while serving in the powerful AIBA Executive Committee.

A degree-holder in Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology at UST, Ms. Embuldeniya, now a Canadian citizen residing in Colombo, is married to Herbert Embuldeniya, a Sri Lankan and former president of the Canadian Boxing Association.

They have a daughter, Winona, a lawyer and regional director for the Province of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario in the Federal Service.

“My husband is the man who taught me boxing,” Embuldeniya said during a recent courtesy call to Manny V. Pangilinan, chairman of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines.

The boxing couple was on their way back to Sri Lanka from a business trip to China and passed by the country on Ms. Embuldeniya’s request.

“I was a volleyball player and I also played handball in Canada. My daughter was a national fencing player in Canada, and I also took up fencing as a sport.”

Embuldeniya took interest in amateur boxing in 1986, helping in boxing tournaments where her husband, a flyweight gold medalist in college, officiated.

She started out doing clerical work and handling finances before moving to judging and officiating, eventually becoming an international technical official.

Ed Picson, ABAP executive director, bared Embuldeniya would be playing a crucial role in the 2012 London Olympics.

“In our talk with Dr. Wu in Taipei last month, he said Nieva will be instrumental in AIBA’s desire to include women’s boxing in the Olympics,” Picson said.

“Dr. Wu also complimented our kababayan for her dedication and competence.”

The visit to Pangilinan, made in the company ABAP president Ricky Vargas and secretary-general Patrick Gregorio, lasted more than an hour, with the Embuldeniyas providing ABAP officials valuable information on different boxing styles and strategies in international competitions.

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Best fight for Cotto

By Gerry Ramos

HIS cut hasn’t healed yet and just barely a week removed from his brutal title fight, but Miguel Cotto, the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight king, is already bracing for `Pacmania.’

The 28-year old champion from Puerto Rico declared that should everything fall into place for his projected Nov. 14 showdown with world pound-for-pound top fighter Manny Pacquiao, it could turn out to be “the biggest fight and greatest achievement of my career.”

Cotto’s statement came out in Primera Hora, the Guaynabo, Puerto Rican-based newspaper, his first public announcement since reports of a Pacquiao-Cotto showdown late this year cropped up shortly after he retained his 147-pound title belt with a split decision win over Joshua Clottey.

“Everything I have had in my career has been all about challenges. Everything I have worked for has revolved around that and I have endeavored to reach certain achievements and I have achieved,” Cotto added.

Cotto suffered a deep cut on his left eye, the result of an accidental head butt in the third round of his bout with Clottey. He needed at least 21 stitches for the wound to close.

The New York State Athletic Commission has suspended Cotto for fighting in the next three months, giving him enough time to heal the wound and perhaps, be ready for his duel with the 30-year Filipino boxing icon.

Cotto had a conference call with promoter Bob Arum the other day, with the Top Rank official putting on the table the terms of the Pacquiao fight.

“I was on the phone with Cotto’s people and I outlined to them the terms and points of the deal,” said the veteran promoter.

“I expect their response by the end of the week.”

During the conversation, Arum brought up the idea of the bout being fought at a catch weight which he said, would be within 144 to 145 pounds.

Cotto has not fought below 147 pounds since 2006, while Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach want the match to be within the 143-144 level.

In a consultation with Cotto’s nutritionist, Arum said the WBO champion would not have a hard time going down two or three pounds below 147.

“Cotto is a welterweight and the nutritionist is saying the lowest he can go is 144,” said Arum.

“Manny will be fine with that. He doesn’t want a guy to get in there and injure himself by fighting at an unrealistically low weight.”

Arum is set to meet with Pacquiao close adviser Michael Koncz on Sunday to discuss the specifics of the deal he had with the Cotto camp.

The boxing official doesn’t see any hitches coming up along the way it did during negotiations for Pacquiao’s last two bouts against Ricky Hatton and Oscar De La Hoya.

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Pacman is the Golden Boy

By Gerry Ramos

NO doubt, Manny Pacquiao is the Oscar De La Hoya of boxing today.

Other than being the world’s pound-for-pound king, Pacquiao’s status as the top attraction in the ring today allows him to dictate the terms and conditions of all his fights, a privilege De La Hoya once enjoyed when he was still considered the face of this brutal sport.

Eric Gomez, the boyhood friend of the now retired De La Hoya and vice president of Golden Boy Promotions, said Pacquiao is in the position to choose who is going to be his opponent from a long list of contenders and imposed his conditions upon them.

Reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title holder Miguel Cotto is currently the leading candidate for the Pacquiao sweepstake, although waiting in line are fighters considered among the best in boxing today, from Sugar Shane Mosley, Floyd Mayweather Jr, to Juan Manuel Marquez.

“Manny is driving the car right now,” said the soft-spoken Golden Boy official.

“He can say who he wants to fight and that’s a great position to be in boxing. Oscar was in that position for many years and Manny is in that position right now.”

Gomez is aware of a possible Pacquiao-Cotto fight, which Top Rank Promotions chairman Bob Arum is now trying to work on. The veteran promoter has already penciled a November 14 duel at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Latest development on the fight was Arum’s meeting with HBO Sports senior vice president Mark Taffet on the likelihood of televising the bout on pay-per-view.

Taffet confirmed the network talked with Top Rank involving a Pacquiao fight scheduled on November 14, but said no deals had yet been finalized.

Gomez is not about to criticize a Pacquiao-Cotto match – both fighters being under the Top Rank stable – but believes Mosley could make a better match up for the Filipino ring icon.

“Shane is willing to do it. You just can’t forget Shane. When you talk about boxing’s pound-for-pound, there is a guy in Shane Mosley who beat the guy in Antonio Margarito, who is considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters today,” Gomez said.

He added Pacquiao could even look at the winner of the Mayweather-Marquez bout, although that meant the Filipino ring icon would have to wait a little following the postponement of the showdown, originally scheduled on July 18, after the comebacking Floyd Jr. suffered an injury in his ribs during training camp.

“But you know, it’s all up to Manny. Right now is Manny’s time,” Gomez said.

“He’s in the driver’s seat right now.”

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Deal or no deal?

By Gerry Ramos

ISSUES on weight and purse split are what Top Rank Promoter Bob Arum will try to settle for the projected Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto title fight to push through.

The veteran promoter has made known his intention to have the two fought at a catch weight. At the same time, he also stressed that the Filipino ring star, considered the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world today, definitely have the bigger share of the pie as far as the fight purse is concerned.

Other than that, Arum doesn’t see any other major hitches for the 12-round bout set November 14 in Las Vegas.

Both Pacquiao and Cotto are being promoted by Top Rank.

“I hope to put it together this week, to get an agreement on terms,” said Arum.

Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach stressed time and again that a showdown with Cotto should be at around 142 to 143 pounds, a weight the Puerto Rican hasn’t fought in since 2006.

Cotto already expressed his desire to meet Pacquiao in the ring, but insisted that they clash within the welterweight limit.

The Philippine pride took on ring legend Oscar De La Hoya at 147-pound last December, but reverted to junior welterweight (140) in his last bout against Ricky Hatton – a devastating second round knockout in favor of the Pacman.

Rex `Wakee’ Salud, long-time boxing promoter and close adviser of Pacquiao, said he doesn’t believe Cotto won’t fight the Filipino below 147, hinting a fair share of the purse would make the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion agree to the terms.

“Eventually he’ll agree and settle to a catch weight with Manny,” he said.

If ever, Salud pointed out Cotto’s fight with Pacquiao will be his biggest pay day, more than the figures he earned in his knockout loss to Mexican Antonio Margarito last year.

While Arum floated the idea of a 70-30 split in the purse, Salud said a 65-35 share will be ideal to both fighters.

Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) is coming off an unimpressive split decision win over Joshua Clottey to retain his title before a packed crowd at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York.

Pacquiao (49-3, 37 KOs) was at ringside during the match, after which he gave his blessings to Arum to start negotiating for a possible Cotto face-off later this year.

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Is Cotto next?

By Gerry Ramos

IT appears all roads lead to a Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto showdown middle of November this year.

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum already declared the possible date and place of the fight shortly upon arriving in Las Vegas from New York, where Cotto successfully defended his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title with a split decision win over Joshua Clottey.

The veteran promoter admitted Pacquiao gave himself the blessing to make the bout possible.

“Manny told me what to do,” Arum said as quoted by former New York Post columnist Michael Marley. “Manny told me, ‘Go ahead, make that fight.’ So it will go Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.”

Arum and Pacquiao sat at ringside of the Madison Square Garden Saturday night for the Cotto-Clottey title fight.

“I had a lot of fun sitting there with Manny,” said Arum of the moment.

Incidentally, both Cotto and Pacquiao are under the Top Rank stable.

The Top Rank official said he doesn’t see the fight being delayed owing to the cut Cotto suffered in his left eyebrow during the Clottey bout.

Besides, he said Cotto definitely would want to challenge the fighter universally considered today as the top pound-for-pound king.

“It’s not that bad (cut). Miguel is delighted to get a fight against Manny, trust me. Miguel very much wants this fight. It will be a sensational fight the way they attack,” said Arum.

Accompanied by wife Jinkee and close adviser Michael Konz, Pacquiao came over to New York to receive his 2008 Fighter of the Year award from the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA).

He also took the opportunity to watch first hand Cotto’s defense of his 147-pound crown at the famed Garden, considered as the mecca of boxing where Pacquiao has yet to fight.

The Filipino ring icon was surprised with the reception he received from the jampacked arena when he was introduced.

“Manny really enjoyed and like that,” Arum said. “He was impressed by Cotto’s fan support and told me it reminded him of how the British fans stand with Ricky Hatton.

“His reception in New York showed that he has moved to a new level of popularity and success. Manny is really an international star in boxing right now and you saw that,” Arum added.

Cotto, a Puerto Rican champion, is considered a natural welterweight and hasn’t fought below 140 pounds since 2006.

The 30-year old Pacquiao on the other hand, began his career 14 years ago as a flyweight and has fought at 147 pounds just once – an eight round destruction of the great Oscar De La Hoya.

“People think this would be like leading the lamb to the slaughter. I don’t see that,” said Arum, who confided that they might agree to fight between 142 and 145 pounds.

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Pacquiao-Mayweather Jr will have to wait

Mayweather and Marquez

UNBEATEN Floyd Mayweather Jr and Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez has been postponed after Mayweather injured a rib in training.

Mayweather had announced the bout on May 2, signaling an end to his 17-month absence from the ring hours before Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao delivered a devastating knockout of England's Ricky Hatton.

The American, 39-0 with 25 knockouts, was to take on Mexico's Marquez in the same arena where he last fought, stopping Hatton in the 10th round in December 2007 to keep the undisputed welterweight title.

Once Pacquiao had so convincingly dispatched Hatton, it was clear that the Filipino was square in Mayweather's path if the American wanted to claim boxing's pound-for-pound throne.

Marquez was to have been the first step on that road for Mayweather.

“I am extremely disappointed that this fight has to be postponed,” Mayweather said. “I was training very hard and looking forward to getting back in the ring on July 18th.”

Marquez, the World Boxing Association lightweight champion, was to move up in weight for the bout.

“I was very disappointed to hear the news about the fight being postponed,” Marquez said from his training camp in Mexico. “I will remain focused, in shape and ready to fight whenever the fight is rescheduled for.”

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Pacquiao-Mayweather Jr will have to wait

UNBEATEN Floyd Mayweather Jr and Mexico's Juan Manuel Marquez has been postponed after Mayweather injured a rib in training.

Mayweather had announced the bout on May 2, signalling an end to his 17-month absence from the ring hours before Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao delivered a devastating knockout of England's Ricky Hatton.

The American, 39-0 with 25 knockouts, was to take on Mexico's Marquez in the same arena where he last fought, stopping Hatton in the 10th round in December 2007 to keep the undisputed welterweight title.

Once Pacquiao had so convincingly dispatched Hatton, it was clear that the Filipino was square in Mayweather's path if the American wanted to claim boxing's pound-for-pound throne.

Marquez was to have been the first step on that road for Mayweather.

“I am extremely disappointed that this fight has to be postponed,” Mayweather said. “I was training very hard and looking forward to getting back in the ring on July 18th.”

Marquez, the World Boxing Association lightweight champion, was to move up in weight for the bout.

“I was very disappointed to hear the news about the fight being postponed,” Marquez said from his training camp in Mexico. “I will remain focused, in shape and ready to fight whenever the fight is rescheduled for.”

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Mayol bombs out

Mayol

FILIPINO Rodel Mayol again came up short in his bid for a world title, settling for a sixth round technical draw against Puerto Rican Ivan Calderon in their 12-round bout at the Madison Square Garden in New York Saturday.

The result allowed the 34-year old Calderon to retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) mini-flyweight champion and remained unbeaten in 33 fights (32-0-1, 6 KOs).

The fight was stopped due to a cut from an accidental head butt in the sixth round.

Judge Tony Palillo scored the bout 58-56 for Calderon, and Tom Schreck had it 58-56 for Mayol. With the crowd rising to its feet, ring announcer Michael Buffer said that Steve Weisfeld had scored it a 57-57 draw. Weisfeld gave the final round to Calderon, allowing him to keep his title.

Mayol (25-3-1, 19 KOs) failed in his two previous bid for a world crown, losing to Eagle Kyowa in 2006 and then to Ulises Solis the following year.

Earlier, an accidental clash of heads in round four opened up a cut on Calderon’s forehead.

Two more head butts in the fifth worsened the cut.

In the sixth round the cut reopened from either a punch or another butt (unclear) and doctors advised to stop the fight at 1:50 in the sixth round. Under WBO rules the fight goes to the scorecards (including the sixth round).

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Mayol vies for world title

Mayol (left) and Calderon During the Weigh-In
By Gerry Ramos

IT’S going to be a make or break for Filipino Rodel Mayol when he vies for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) light-flyweight title Saturday night (Sunday morning local time) against undefeated champion Ivan Calderon at the famed Madison Square Garden in New York.


The 12-round bout is set in the under card of the Miguel Cotto-Joshua Clottey for the WBO welterweight championship.

Mayol, with an impressive ring record of 25-3 with 19 KOs, vowed to go all-out and give his best shot following two failed world title attempts in the past.

“Nabigyan ulit tayo ng pagkakataon kaya buhos na ito,” said the 5-foot-4 challenger from Mandaue City.

The Filipino first lost to Eagle Kyowa (unanimous decision) in 2006 for the World Boxing Council (WBC) minimumweight crown, and then suffered an eight round technical knockout against former champion Ulises Solis a year later for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight title.

But after hooking up with fellow Filipino Manny Pacquiao and Canadian Michael Konz, Mayol was able to earn what could be his last attempt at a world championship.

“Kaya siyempre ayaw natin siyang (Paquiao) mapahiya,” said Mayol, who is now based in Los Angeles.

The 30-year old Pacquiao, who was given the Boxing of the Year award by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA), will be at ringside to watch Mayol and the Cotto-Clottey match.

Calderon however, could be Mayol’s toughest test to date.

The Puerto Rican champion is a perfect 32-0, although the six knockouts in his personal record is a testament to his lack of punching power.

But speed and technical skills had been Calderon’s biggest assets and the reason why he has stayed on top for more than six years.

The 34-year old champ has defended the 108-pound title 16 times, the last of which came August of last year against Hugo Fidel Cazares (technical decision).

He first won the crown in 2003 with a ninth round technical decision of Eduardo Ray Marquez.

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Fighter of the Year

Pacquiao during his acceptance speech
FOR a spectacular 2008 that saw him posted three wins in a row, including one over the great Oscar De La Hoya, boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao was bestowed the Fighter of the Year honor by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) Friday night at the Capitale in New York City.

“Boxing fans will see a more exciting Manny Pacquiao every round, every minute and every second I fight on top of the ring,” said the Filipino ring icon in his acceptance speech during the annual BWAA dinner awards night.

The 30-year old Pacquiao was honored by the group as the 2008 Fighter of the Year, his second in three years after being feted with the same award in 2006.

He mentioned his family and the Filipino nation as the one which inspired him to do his best in every fight.

Pacquiao was named Fighter of the Year for his spectacular victories over Juan Manuel Marquez, David Diaz and the great Oscar De La Hoya.

His trainer Freddie Roach was also the unanimous choice as 2008 Trainer of the Year.

“It gets better every time,” said Roach in receiving his third Trainer of the Year accolade.

“Manny Pacquiao really is the best student in the world and we have a good relationship so I am honored to be around a guy like him,” added the soft-spoken Hall of Fame trainer.

BWAA president Jack Hirsch personally awarded the plaque to both Pacquiao and Roach.

Hirsch also hinted that the Filipino is again a strong candidate for the award in the wake of his sensational second round technical knockout of Briton Ricky Hatton last month in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao is set to return to the ring late in October, with Floyd Mayweather Jr, Marquez, Miguel Cotto and Sugar Shane Mosley as among the names being mentioned as possible opponent.

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Lunas stakes OPBF title

Lunas: Making first defense of his OPBF crown

By Michael John Palacios

FILIPINO Rolly Matsushita Lunas defends his Orient Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) super-bantamweight title against Japanese Hiromasa `The Samurai’ Ohashi on June 21 at the Sangyo Hall, Aichi in Nagoya.

The 12-round title fight will be the first for Lunas since wresting the 122-pound belt with a close split decision win over Wethya Sakmuangklang in January this year.

Lunas, fighting out of the Kashimi boxing gym, has a ring record of 26-7, including 14 KOs.

Except for a unanimous decision setback against Anselmo Moreno last November for the World Boxing Association (WBA) super-bantamweight crown, Lunas hasn’t loss the last two years.

Just as impressive is Ohashi, the 29-year old Japanese challenger, who carries a record of 20-7, with 13 KOs.

Like Lunas, `The Samurai’ is undefeated in the last two years, stringing up six successive wins all by way of knockout.

Lunas however, remains undaunted.

“I will never give up my dream of becoming a world champion someday. My family and countrymen are my inspiration. They are the one who gives me strength,” said the champion.

His manager Naoyiki Kashime said Lunas is just six pounds over the limit with still three weeks left before the fight.

“He’s getting better everyday. I have faith in my boy that he will beat Ohashi,” said the Japanese manager.

The World Boxing Council (WBC) currently ranks Lunas no. 3 in his division.

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Katsidis wants a piece of Pacquiao

FORMER world champion Michael Katsidis is the latest in a longline of fighters to challenge world pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao.

Unlike the rest of them, the Australian brawler is willing to come over and fight the Filipino boxing icon in front of his adoring countrymen.

“I will not fight you anywhere else but here in the Philippines and this is why I have come here before your people,” said Katsidis, who arrived in the country Thursday accompanied by manager Brendon Smith.

A major Australian online betting company Sportsbet.com, which recently sold half of its shares to an Irish group for a staggering $200 million, will be backing Katsidis in his fight bid against the 30-year old Pacquiao.

“I will give your people this fight here. If you accept this challenge I will come to you,” he said.

His backers, according to Katsidis, are willing to support and even bankroll his challenge of Pacquiao. The Australian is hoping that his presence here in the country will jumpstart negotiations with the Filipino camp.

“It will be great for Manny to fight in front of his countrymen and it is only me who is willing to accept the task of being his challenger. The Mayweathers, Marquez and Mosleys, they won’t come here. They’re all focused in the United States,” added Katsidis.

The Australian, who has set up his training camp in Thailand, is coming off an eight round technical knockout win over former world champion Jesus Chavez.

Katsidis is best known for his brutal 12-round slugfest against Filipino Czar Amonsot two years ago in Las Vegas where both fighters ended up in the hospital. The Aussie won the fight via a close unanimous decision while Amonsot ended up being medically suspended indefinitely by the Nevada State Athletic Commission as specks of blood were traced outside of his brain.

The 28-year-old Katsidis (25-2, 21 KO’s) lost his interim crown to Joel Casamayor via a 10th round stoppage March of last year.

For his comeback fight after the Casamayor debacle Katsidis fought and lost to Juan Diaz in a close 12-round verdict September of 2008.

He has since recovered from those twin losses with back-to-back wins over Chavez and Angel Ramirez this year.

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One more fight for Gerry

GERRY Penalosa, who took a severe beating against Juan Manuel Lopez more than a month ago, 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 retire 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 Penalosa.

“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,” said Penalosa during yesterday's PSA Forum at Shakey's UN Avenue.

A lot of people, including members of his family and his dear friend, boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, are calling on Penalosa to retire, 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 afte that fight. And I want that fight to take place in the Philippines,” said Penalosa.

Penalosa proved too small for Lopez, and took a severe beating as the fighter from Puerto Rico landed 421 power punches before trainer Freddie Roach called for the stoppage after nine rounds.

“He 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 in the session sponsored by Shakey’s, Accel, PAGCOR and Outlast Battery.

A fight with Montiel, who defeated Filipino Z Gorres last year, is what he'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 added.

Penalosa 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 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,” Penalosa said.

Whoever wins between Montiel and Morel will have 90 days to defend the crown, and Penalosa is keeping his fingers crossed he could get that fight.

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