Gejon gears up for second shot at world championship

The scathing Philippines-Mexico rivalry is such a hot commodity in the international boxing market that a second showdown between Filipino and Mexican ring gladiators has already been calendared on November 16 at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Promoted by Top Rank Inc., the event takes place two days before the hotly-anticipated Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales rubbermatch at the Thomas and Mack Center also in Las Vegas.

Cebuano promoter Rex "Wakee" Salud confirmed to The Freeman yesterday the staging of Philippines vs. Mexico Part 2 is among the matters they agreed during a recent meeting with his close associate Pacquiao and Top Rank big boss Bob Arum in the US.

The first RP-Mexico showdown took place last July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum wherein the Filipinos, bannered by Pacquiao's methodical 12-round demolition of Oscar Larios, scored a clean 5-0 sweep over the visiting Mexicans.

Salud said he was already given the go-ahead signal by Arum to come up with a list of competitive Filipino fighters who will be pitted against the Mexicans this November.

"Arum asked me to look for Filipino boxers potential enough to be included in the card," said Salud. "With this, I will instruct my trainers to hold a thorough selection process to find out who are those worthy boxers I will be sending to the States,"said Salud.

Salud, however, said Eriberto "Loka" Gejon, Jr. will no longer go through such process as his ward is already assured of a title crack either against IBF light flyweight champion Ulises Solis or the newly-crowned WBC jr flyweight title-holder Oscar Nino-Romero, conqueror of Fil-Am Brian Viloria.

Salud added he might also insert big names such as OPBF minimumweight champion Rodel "Batang Mandaue" Mayol and former WBC super flyweight titlist Gerry Penalosa in the card.

The rest who will undergo an extensive selection process include a slew of rising stars from Salud's RWS Stable in the likes of unbeaten super bantamweight prospect Bernabe Concepcion, RP strawweight champion Florante Condes, PABA super featherweight champion Jun Paderna, Michael Farenas and undefeated bantamweights Mercito Gesta and Jundy Maraon.

"I'm planning to bring in at least five boxers to the US. That is, of course, subject to Arum's approval," said Salud.

Salud has just arrived from the US where he was among those who facilitated in sealing the multi-million dollar deal concerning Pacquiao's third bout with Morales.

Pacquiao on Sunday signed the contract that guaranteed the Filipino ring icon of a staggering US$3 million purse to battle Morales aside from a huge share in per-per-view sales.

A major clause in the contract stipulates a $1 million payoff for Pacquiao in case Morales weighs in at 132 pounds or two over the limit. The penalty is $500,000 if Morales tips the scales at 131. If Morales weighs over 132, Pacquiao takes home $1 million and has the option to accept or decline the fight.