Gerry 'Fearless' Penalosa (AP Photo)
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A total of six Filipino boxers will showcase their skills on top of the boxing ring come February 13 as Top Rank brings together two of its most successful novelty features Pinoy Power and Latin Fury at the Las Vegas Hilton.
Yes you heard it right. Six Filipinos will be lighting up the Las Vegas strip in one monumental night of boxing.
Other than the advertised bouts of Nonito Donaire Jr., Gerry Penalosa, Ciso Morales and Bernabe Concepcion, they will also be joined by ALA Boxing stable's Mark Melligen and debuting Fil-Hawaiian prospect Bruno Escalante.
Six fighters with six different stories and motives, all fighting for the same reason- the pride and honor of the Philippines.
Philippine boxing has gone a long way this past decade since one Manny Pacquiao broke into the scene and spawned a previously untapped resource that of which is the Filipino boxing fan base.
Pacquiao's exploits also sparked interest in the talents produced by the island archipelago, which prompted big promoters like Top Rank, Golden Boy, Gary Shaw and several others to invest on the country's fighters.
ESCALANTE
If you haven't heard of the name yet, it's perhaps because Escalante will be making his pro debut on Pinoy Power 3 against Alejandro Solorio of California. Escalante, like former world champ Brian VIloria, is a Hawaiian fighter with Filipino blood. He has been helping Donaire with sparring in his camp at the moment and is confident of his chances on winning his first pro fight. Do we have the makings of the next Hawaiian Punch? We'll get a better idea of that in two weeks.
MELLIGEN
I saw Melligen's last fight live at the Mandalay Bay last November. His bout followed ALA stablemate Z Gorres' victory which ended in tragedy after Gorres collapsed and was sent to the hospital which led to the abrupt ending to his promising career.
Perhaps the incident played in the young Melligen's head and affected his psyche during his bout against Michel Rosales which resulted in a split decision loss.
Melligen will have a chance to redeem himself against the undefeated Raymond Gatica (11-0-0) and put his career back on the right track for future big fights against the likes of Amir Khan, Marcos Maidana and Victor Ortiz. It won't be an easy road though, but Melligen is definitely capable of reaching those heights. He is currently training at the Mayweather Gym in Las Vegas, NV.
MORALES
Among all the Filipinos fighting on the 13th, Morales will have the toughest task as he plans to dethrone WBO bantamweight champ Fernando Montiel.
Montiel is a heavy underdog in this bout as he is going up against a legitimate star and veteran in the Mexican champ Montiel. With the help of trainer Nonito Donaire Sr. who is whipping Morales in shape and world class fighting form at the Kennel Gym in San Leandro, Ca., the 22-year old Morales aims to shock the boxing world and score an upset win.
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"THEY WEREN'T EVEN DYING!" ROGER MAYWEATHER TALKS ABOUT THE DRUGS HE SAYS PACQUIAO IS USING THAT MADE PHILIPPINES SOLDIERS 'BULLETPROOF'CONCEPCION
Bernabe Concepcion or 'Abe' as his close friends call him, is coming off a controversial disqualification loss last August to Steven Luevano. Abe inadvertently tagged Luevano at the sound of the bell in the 7th round which landed the Mexican on the ground and appeared to be unconscious.
Regardless if it was unintentional, the DQ loss derailed Concepcion's career which was on the world championship trail. He will try to regain some lost steam against the 24-1-1 Puerto Rican Mario Santiago and hope to align himself for a title shot against recent Luevano conqueror Juan Manuel Lopez.
PENALOSA
The ageless wonder "Fearless" Gerry Penalosa is a living legend in Pinoy boxing. Manny Pacquiao himself idolizes Penalosa for his ring brilliance and resilience and convinced the crafty veteran to restore his career after taking a hiatus in 2002 from suffering controversial title bout losses in Japan and Korea.
The 37-year old Penalosa has never been knocked down in his career and against the young phenom JuanMa Lopez in his last fight, Penalosa took the beating of his life yet still stood on his feet. If it weren't for his corner stopping the fight, Penalosa would have fought to the very end. With that said, Penalosa is no spring chicken. Some of his most loyal fans have called for him to hang it up. We'll see against another vet in Eric Morel whether Penalosa does indeed still have it in him to become a world champ again.
DONAIRE
Considered to be the heir apparent to Manny Pacquiao's throne once the Pac Man hangs up his gloves, Ring magazine's #6 ranked Pound for Pound best fighter in the world Nonito 'The Filipino Flash' Donaire aims to continue his onslaught on the super flyweight division against the tough Mexican Guerson Guerrero.
Donaire needs a sensational win to push his stock up for the bigger names in and around his division to finally consider fighting him. As a fighter, what is not to love about this kid? He can punch, he has the footwork and defense, he can counter- he just has it all. It's just a matter of getting the top guns to step up to the challenge.
Donaire recently added Viloria trainer Roberto Garcia to his camp to help him with strategy. A bout with bantam champ Montiel is in the horizon if both fighters win their scheduled bouts on the 13th.
Dennis "D Source" Guillermo is a freelance sportswriter. You can contact him through e-mail at hoodartz@yahoo.com.
Note: There are people out there pretending and using my name on the comments box. I NEVER respond to comments or post anything using the comments box here. Shoot me an e-mail if you want a real response. Thanks.
FOR THE TAGALOG VERSION OF THIS PIECE: CHECK OUT dSOURCE'S NEWEST TAGALOG KOLUM 'PAMBANSANG BALLPEN' THE OFFICIAL VOICE OF PINOY POWERAnim na Pilipino ang lalaban sa Pinoy Power 3 sa ika-13 ng Pebrero sa Las Vegas Hilton dito sa Amerika. Anim na Pilipinong may kanya-kanyang layunin ngunit iisa ang pinaglalaban. And pinaglalaban na iyan ay walang iba kundi and karangalan ng ating bayan.
Anim kamo?
Oo. Tama yung nabasa mo.
Bukod sa mga kilalang pangalan nila Nonito Donaire Jr., Gerry Penalosa, Ciso Morales at Bernabe Concepcion, kasama ren sa makikipagtunggali sa bisperas ng araw ng mga puso ay sina Mark Melligen ng ALA Boxing Gym sa Cebu at ang pinakabagong pangalan na sasabak sa gabing iyon na si Bruno Escalante.
HOT HOT HOT !!! THE FINE GIRLS OF FIGHT SPORTS
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Comments
I think if Jerry wants to end up his career w/c I believed it is pretty soon. He must step up and put his fight onto another level he is getting old already, retirement is around the corner weather he like it or not. He should put more pewer and fill up more air to his lungs up to the last round.
So that he can end up his career on a high note. Unlike hatton he should end up hi career where not only fight fans but all pilipino fans around the world in a best position of cheering him up a well done compliment.
Just imagine that times flies like anything,it is indeed third one already for Pinoy power matches.Does it indicates the arrival of Filipino fighters in the world class professional boxing or is it good until Pacquiao mantle is still spread out
that pinoy's are hot? It should be an arrival and to stay.
The ball in on pinoy fighter now, It depends on how they will embrace this opportunities. Promoters are their if they can perform very well. Manny Pacman brings a good example for them and I hope the pinoys from fighters to trainers to organizer must perform well and this is not Manny's hype or Manny's fever it is definitely permanent goods as long as they can perform well.
The num #1 thing for me is do not mix this with politics always bring the best fighter and trainer in the table and convert their training and knowledge in a world class competitiveness. This surely a barrel of pork and beef to a hungry stomach of Philippine sports particularly boxing.
isn't roberto garcia a mexican [womo]?who is a coach to donaire...could they trust him? can he prove that he is not an "insider"...all i know is top rank will feature "pinoy power vs. latin fury"...i hope i'm wrong.
All 6 Dog chow lovers gonna loose.
To all Filipino here in America, let's pay our respect to our boy that gives us back our pride and honor.
This is the best time for us to support MANNY, let's fill up the stadium of with our flag. We are going there with my boys, this is once in a lifetime event. Lusooooooooooooob mga kapatid....
hey toby i saw u sucking d___ks!!!your name sounds GAY just like GAYWEATHER§§§§!!!!!i bet your dad busted your a§§ while you're sucking GOLDENGAY........lol ,LOOSER!!!!
Pacquiao career coming to an end he need to fight Mayweather or his legacy will be in question as a steroids user and a cheater.
@Toby
how much you gonna bet?
good luck to all 6 filipinos... manny is phenomenal... when he's all done, let's just hope that another filipino will made an impact in the boxing world just like manny, pancho and flash did... in the meantime, let's kick the @sses of these latinos...
are we pinoys be considered as latinos?we have a little spanish blood..so in the next LATIN FURY, pinoys will be included
the next LATIN FURY will be staged in PHILIPPINES
okey nasa ring ang batas pero sa atin walang batas sampung piso lang silaw na ang mga kurakot mabuhay ang mga tunay na pinoy tamaan sana sa puso ang mga nagiisip ng masama mabuhay si pakyaw
All 6 Monkeys will be KO'ed.
For TOBY...
Settle down ..you may be drunk or just plain GAY that u wish for attention of those macho PINOYs.
Anyway,you can bet your Dumbed gorilla balls if you want and u are serious in betting against them. Good Luck..
All six would loose especially that one with his arms up with that F A G G E T Y flag of yours.
Pacman Legacy will be question if he doesn't figy gayweather? LOL
HEY WAKE UP! YOUR IN AVATAR DREAM LAND! MANNY DON'T NEED MAYWEATHERS!
See anyone comparing Mayweather to any great sports icon or great boxing icon?
Gerry Penalosa is the filipino saying of...Kalabaw lang ang tumatanda.
Just like a carabao, the meat is hard to chew,that is Gerry tough. He is a vintage lolo in the field of boxing, though might be amoy lupa.
Go Gerry...go you can still do it.
soli
solid dumb
Filipino boxing sensation Nonito Donaire is a big boxing star in d world today.He is now being trained by a MEXICAN.His next opponents are MEXICANS.Is he not dancing w/ his enemies ?Look at VILORIA w/ same trainer...Worst beating n hs career.
Hey Toby you calling pinoys as dog chow lovers??? ha! And what would you call yourself then? You were raised by a trailer park b i t ch who s u c k ed c o c k for a living. Now you became a lil boys lover. You f u c k i n g dirty pedophile!
Thanks for stepping up on the plate Toby, now where is the other five?
@toby pls.suck a pilipino penis,its really yummy.
walang kwentang upakan 'to ... puro mga laos at pulpol na bosksingerong pinoy na naman ang line-up.
sayang lang kuryente ko pag pinanood ko 'to sa tv. sasakit pa ang mata ko sa palabas.
The PINOY POWER affair will be a wipe out in favor of the PINOYS.
dude,is luevano a mexican? i thought he is an american
a lot of respect to the 6 filipino soldiers
gudluck and godbless!!!
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