The mandatory title shot was earned by Peñalosa after a series of smashing victories over top-rated opponents in defense of his WBC International super flyweight crown which he won via an eighth round TKO over rugged Pone Saengmorakot of Thailand who had earlier dropped a controversial split decision to Tokuyama.
Peñalosa and his manager, the eminent lawyer Rudy Salud, both conceded that "this is the last hurrah" for the 28-year old Peñalosa who lost the title in a controversial split decision to South Korea’s In Joo Cho in Seoul in 1999 and failed to regain it in a rematch on Jan. 2 last year, also in similar fashion.
"If we fail this time" said Salud, "I’m through and Gerry knows that." The No. 1 contender said he was "extremely grateful" to Salud for his one hundred percent "support and care" and promised to give "the most important fight of my career my very best shot for the sake of the fans who inspire me." He added, "if I lose you won’t see me in the ring again."