Gerry to retire if he loses

World Boxing Council (WBC) International superflyweight champion Gerry Peñalosa will retire if he loses to Japanese challenger Keiji "The Prince" Yamaguchi in their scheduled 12-round title fight at the Araneta Coliseum tonight.

But before Yamaguchi entertains any notion of sending Peñalosa to pasture, a reality check is in order because the Filipino has no intention to lose or retire. In fact, Peñalosa is predicting to win by knockout. His brother and trainer Dodie Boy expects Yamaguchi to fall within six rounds.

Still, Peñalosa can’t be too sure. Yamaguchi, a former World Boxing Association (WBA) junior flyweight titlist, is a dangerous foe who has everything to gain and nothing to lose. The pressure to win is on Peñalosa who has everything to lose because he’s next in line for a shot at the WBC 115-pound crown that was once his.

Peñalosa’s wife Goody told The STAR yesterday the fighter is in good spirits, confident but not overconfident. He ended his sparring regimen last Saturday and logged over 70 rounds to prepare for Yamaguchi.

Under nutritionist Dr. Sanirose Orbeta’s care, Peñalosa has not found it difficult to make the superflyweight limit. Because he never had to reduce his food intake, Peñalosa’s power is intact. He tipped the scales at 114 1/2 pounds in yesterday’s weigh-in at the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) office in Makati then feasted on spaghetti and fruit salad. His meal today will consist of panga, spaghetti, pansit, and bangus soup.

Peñalosa has carefully studied Yamaguchi’s fighting style from tapes of his previous bouts against Carlos Murillo and In Joo Cho. He said the Japanese fights like Cho but isn’t afraid to mix it up, unlike the Korean. Cho who has beaten Peñalosa twice on identical, controversial split 12-round decisions is booked to face Masamori Tokuyama for the WBC superflyweight crown in Seoul on May 20. The winner of the Tokuyama-Cho fight will defend the title against Peñalosa, if he beats Yamaguchi, within 90 days.

Another motivation for Peñalosa to win is his wife is expecting their second child. Goody is three months pregnant. Peñalosa hopes to be a world champion again when she gives birth before the year ends.

Yamaguchi, 27, doesn’t know the meaning of the word "retreat" — he never backs down, he never surrenders. He’ll fight to the finish — whether his or his opponent’s. The scrappy southpaw is known as the Prince, a nickname he borrowed from his idol Naseem Hamed.

Viva Vintage Sports will telecast the Big Dome fights on IBC-13 starting at 9 p.m. tonight.

Yamaguchi turned pro in 1992 and has compiled a 29-6-1 record, with 11 knockouts. He has victimized 12 Filipinos so far and promised to add Peñalosa to the list. Yamaguchi intends to pay back Peñalosa for dethroning and sending into retirement his legendary countryman Hiroshi Kawashima in 1997.

For Peñalosa, the time has come for redemption. He has fought around the world and is itching to regain the WBC belt that was robbed from him by Cho in 1998. Peñalosa made his pro debut in 1989 and boasts a record of 42-3-2, with 26 knockouts.

Peñalosa said no one will get in his way for a shot at his second world title — not Yamaguchi, not anyone. He’s got a point to prove — that he’s still the world’s best 115-pounder.

Regarding manager Rudy Salud’s recent decision to withdraw from boxing if Yamaguchi wins, Peñalosa said it won’t happen. He said he will never fight for anyone except Salud and that’s why he can’t lose.

In the undercard, former WBA minimumweight titleholder Joma Gamboa takes on Thai No. 3 contender Pigmy Muangchaiya and Philippine superfeatherweight champion Randy Suico faces former Thai featherweight ruler Khumphoon Eausamphan.

Gamboa lost the WBA crown to Keitaro Hoshino in his first defense last December. Hoshino was later dethroned by Chana Porpoain of Thailand. If Gamboa beats Pigmy, he’ll challenge Chana and attempt to regain his title.

Suico, the WBC No. 10 contender, recently turned down an offer to fight WBA junior lightweight champion Joel Casamayor of Cuba. Suico, 21, isn’t rushing a title shot and would rather work his way up patiently. He stakes his unblemished record of 13-0, with 11 knockouts, against Khumphoon. Suico should be ready to fight for the world crown in two years, noted his Japanese manager Joe Koizumi.

Suico has never fought in Manila and is looking forward to impressing the Big City fans. But Khumphoon, a grizzled warrior who has scored 14 knockouts in 23 wins, is no pushover. The Thai will be a litmus test for Suico.