Beware of Vorapin

World Boxing Council (WBC) International superflyweight champion Gerry Peñalosa is in for trouble against challenger Ratanachai Sor Vorapin in their scheduled 12-round title bout at the Casino Filipino in Parañaque tomorrow night.

Vorapin’s business manager Leon Panoncillo, the Asia-Pacific consultant of Don King Productions, said the Thai has carefully studied Peñalosa’s style in tapes of five fights and is confident of scoring a knockout – within five rounds.

"Vorapin knows what to do to beat Peñalosa," said Panoncillo. "I feel bad for Peñalosa but this is business, nothing personal. I was born in Hawaii but my mother is from Cebu and my father is from Mindanao so my roots are Filipino. I’m afraid that Vorapin is ready to take Peñalosa’s title."

Vorapin, his brother Kaichai, manager Surapol, and Panoncillo flew in from Honolulu last Sunday.

Panoncillo said Vorapin had been training in King’s camp in Honolulu when the offer to fight Peñalosa came. Vorapin’s sparmates included Filipinos Andy Tabanas and Jesus Salud who are both based in Hawaii. Vorapin and Tabanas fought in an exhibition in Honolulu last week.

"I don’t handle bums," said Panoncillo whose stable lists at least 25 fighters, including Vorapin’s older brother Ratanapol, the former International Boxing Federation miniflyweight titlist. "King has invested a lot of money in Vorapin and we’re looking to cash in. Bobby Goodman, who’s King’s Vice P-president, told me the Peñalosa-Vorapin fight should be on pay-per-view in Las Vegas – that’s how much they’re respected."

Panoncillo said both southpaws are talented, fight the same aggressive style, but Vorapin has a slight edge in power. He’s placing bets on the bout – he pockets $2,000 if Vorapin wins and pays out $1,000 if Peñalosa prevails on 2-1 odds.

Last Tuesday, Vorapin sparred with his brother Kaichai at Bebot Elorde’s gym in Sucat and floored him with a vicious right straight.

Vorapin’s straight is almost legendary. In January last year, he nearly killed Fernando Ibarra Maldonado of Piedras Negras, Mexico, in a scheduled eight-round bout at the Regal Riverfront Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri.

Ibarra, 24, was decked in the second round by a left straight but seemed more off-balance than hurt. Vorapin then took control of the fight. In the sixth, a lightning left counter struck Ibarra on the chin. The Mexican crumpled into a neutral corner. Referee Marvin Elam and ringside physician Dr. Al Sandler attended to Ibarra who lay on the canvas for several minutes before he was helped onto his stool.

Ibarra walked out of the ring on his own. But in his dressing room, he collapsed and stopped breathing twice before a 911 ambulance rushed him to nearby St. Louis University hospital where doctors performed two operations to remove blood clots in his brain. Ibarra was unconscious for two weeks and confined for over a month. His mother and sister were brought in from Mexico by promoter Doug Hartmann.

Ibarra eventually regained his senses. His hospital bills amounted to about $100,000 and his fight insurance was only up to $5,000. Donations were raised to pay for Ibarra’s bills. Two days before his release from the hospital, Ibarra pedaled a stationary bicycle, walked up and down stairs, and chatted with a group of Spanish well-wishers from Fontbonne College in suburban St. Louis. He was lucky to survive Vorapin’s fists of fury.

Vorapin, 24, has won 21 of his last 22 outings. The Thai has never lost to a Filipino – in fact, he’s won 14 fights over Filipinos, including Leo Ramirez, Joel Junio, and Julius Tarona.

Boxing judge Vic Rodriguez cautioned Peñalosa not to take Vorapin lightly. Rodriguez was at ringside when Vorapin halted Pirus Boy in an IBF Intercontinental title fight in 1995. "Malakas si Vorapin," said Rodriguez. "Hindi siya tatakbo – lalaban ’yan ng sabayan. Huwag sana magpabaya si Gerry. If Gerry’s in shape, ‘di siya tatamaan ni Vorapin."

Panoncillo said he expects a war in the ring. Whoever wins will be the next world champion, he predicted.

Japanese fight expert Joe Koizumi warned Peñalosa’s manager Rudy Salud that Vorapin is a dangerous opponent. But Salud shrugged it off. "This is Gerry’s big test," said Salud. "When I look for an opponent for Gerry, I look for a fighter who has a chance to win. I don’t deal with patsies. If Gerry deserves to be a world champion again, he should be able to take care of Vorapin."

Peñalosa, 29, described Vorapin as "a complete fighter." He said he’s not intimidated by the Thai’s fearsome reputation. Penalosa refused to predict the outcome but promised Filipino fans they won’t be disappointed on fight night.