Gerry wary of Thai rival

Gerry Peñalosa is leaving nothing to chance as he prepares to defend his WBC International superflyweight crown against Thailand’s Ratanachi Sor Vorapin next month at the Casino Filipino Amphitheater in Parañaque.

For the past two months now, the 28-year-old Peñalosa has undergone rigid training under the watchful eyes of brothers Dodie Boy – the former world champion – and Carl, Jr. to ensure his success in the Nov. 25 bout against Vorapin.

"I heard he’s good that's why I’m training in earnest and we haven't seen much of his style on video tapes, " said Peñalosa in Tagalog after winding up a sparring session in a Manila gym.

Aside from a strict nutritional diet, Peñalosa’s training consists of a one-hour road work in the morning and a two-hour gym work in the afternoon. This will go on until he reaches peak form in time for his first defense of the title he won over Thailand’s Pone Saengmorakot last May in the same venue.

"We only rest on Sunday, we’re training continuously because we can’t be over- confident because the Thai is really good," added Peñalosa who has a ring record of 38 wins (26 KOs), three losses and two draws.

A victory over Vorapin – with 38 wins (27 KOs) and four losses– will give Peñalosa a crack at the legitimate WBC superflyweight crown which he held before losing to South Korea’s Cho In-joo last year. Japan’s Masanori Tokuyama, the current champion, will defend the title against compatriot Akihiko Nago on Dec. 11.

The international title is reserved for fighters ranked outside the top 10.

"We really need to win this one over Vorapin so I can get a crack at the Japanese champ. We are really after the regular WBC title," said Peñalosa, now being handled by Atty. Rudy Salud, the former PBA commissioner.