Gerry fight judge known

A judge who voted against Gerry Peñalosa when he lost the World Boxing Council (WBC) superflyweight title to In Joo Cho on a questionable split decision three years ago has a chance to redeem himself.

Chuck Williams, 67, was one of two judges who scored it for Cho in that fateful fight in Seoul. He was also a judge in Luisito Espinosa’s defense of the WBC featherweight crown against Cesar Soto in El Paso in 1999. Soto won a unanimous but disputed decision and wrested the title from Espinosa.

The other day, a reliable source whispered that Williams will be one of three judges assigned for the WBC superflyweight championship bout between defending titleholder Masamori Tokuyama and Peñalosa in Yokohama on Sept. 24. Williams, a New Jersey native, is coming to Asia not only for the Yokohama fight but also to check out the Bangkok hotel where the WBC will hold its annual convention late this year.

Peñalosa’s manager Rudy Salud said he’s not worried about Williams – despite his track record of voting against Filipinos in controversial decisions.

"I’ve been assured by (WBC President) Don Jose (Sulaiman) that whoever wins the fight will win on the scorecards," said Salud. "I trust Don Jose. He knows how much this fight means to the Filipino people. And I know Williams will never go against Don Jose’s wishes."

Williams, incidentally, has been to Manila thrice. In 1987, he was a judge when Chang Ho Choi halted Peñalosa’s older brother Dodie Boy in the 11th round to capture the International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight diadem. Williams had Peñalosa ahead at the time of the knockout. A year later, he was back in town as a judge in Rolando Bohol’s defense of the IBF flyweight title against Cho Woon Park. Williams scored it for Bohol. And in 1998, Williams was here for (Gerry) Peñalosa’s WBC superflyweight title defense against Joel Luna Zarate. Peñalosa retained the title on a second round technical draw.

Williams has been a judge in over 20 world title fights involving such champions as Ricardo Lopez, Manuel Medina, Kotsya Tsyzu, Daniel Zaragoza, and Dennis Andries. He has traveled around the world to judge fights in Australia, Korea, Japan, Mexico, England, and all over the US.

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As for Peñalosa, Salud said he’s deep in training and looking awesome. "I asked Gerry if there was anything else I could do to prepare him for Tokuyama," continued Salud. "We’ve done everything possible to get him ready. We’re confident of victory."

Salud even offered to bring in Roy Jones’ trainer Alton Merkerson but Peñalosa said it’s not necessary – brothers Dodie Boy and Erbing are supervising his training and they’re doing an excellent job. Besides, Dodie Boy hasn’t forgotten what he learned from Merkerson in Pensacola a few years ago.

Salud said nutritionist Dr. Sanirose Orbeta’s program has done wonders for Peñalosa who’s eating three square meals a day, getting stronger, and keeping within the 115-pound limit. Salud said Dr. Orbeta’s diet is the key to Peñalosa’s resurgence. Since following Dr. Orbeta’s program, Peñalosa has scored three straight knockouts over Pone Saengmorakot, Rattanachai Sor Vorpain, and Keiji Yamaguchi – all in smashing fashion. Peñalosa was particularly devastating in his last outing – scoring a first round stoppage of Yamaguchi, a former world champion, last May.

Salud confided that he has suggested to Sulaiman to tap New Zealander Bruce McTavish – known for his competence and objectivity – as the referee in Yokohama. Sulaiman hasn’t announced his decision.

It would be perfect if McTavish could work the fight since he’s booked to referee Oriental bantamweight champion Jess Maca’s defense against Ryuichi Minoriyama in Kobe the day before.

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On another matter, Salud said he spoke to Japanese matchmaker Joe Koizumi about the possibility of Espinosa fighting in the Tokuyama-Peñalosa undercard, Koizumi, who recently left for the US to attend the Erik Morales-In-Jin Chi fight for the WBC featherweight crown this weekend, assured Salud he will consult with Espinosa’s manager Noel Rivera in Newark, California, on what could be arranged. Koizumi hinted of a fight for Espinosa in Japan on Sept. 22.

Salud, meanwhile, offered IBF superbantamweight titlist Manny Pacquiao a round-trip ticket, hotel accommodations, and a ringside seat in Yokohama if he retains his crown in his first defense, tentatively on Sept. 8, in New Jersey.

Pacquiao and Peñalosa are kumpadres. When Salud found out that Pacquiao was looking forward to cheering for Peñalosa in Yokohama, he made the offer. The condition is Pacquiao must repulse his first challenger – who’ll be either Nestor Garza or Enrique Sanchez. I can almost read what’s on Pacquiao’s mind – "See you in Yokohama."