Peñalosa fought courageously in a bold bid to dethrone De Leon in Las Vegas last Saturday. He moved up two weight classes for a crack at the crown. The judges, however, gave the Filipino southpaw little credit in surviving the 12-round distance as their scorecards reflected a lopsided decision.
Chuck Giampa and Nelson Vazquez had it 119-109 for De Leon, awarding Peñalosa just a single round. Dave Moretti saw it a 120-108 shutout.
"I think I won," said Peñalosa in an overseas phonecall to The Star. "I’m not content with the decision. I landed the cleaner blows. I was never hurt. He ran away from me. He got hurt. The fans booed him because he didn’t fight like a champion."
Peñalosa said even newly crowned WBC superfeatherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, who outpointed Marco Antonio Barrera in the main event, commiserated.
"Marquez told me I won," continued Peñalosa. "He told me twice. He watched the fight in the dressing room before he fought Barrera. He also told me he really likes the way I fight."
Peñalosa said facing Gonzalez for the 118-pound title will be an easier assignment but fighting De Leon in a rematch is a matter of pride.
Although Peñalosa said he still has to make up his mind on whether to continue fighting or not, it appears retirement isn’t imminent.
"No decision yet on what I’ll do next," said Peñalosa. "I’ll take a rest then come up with a decision."
There were no knockdowns in the match and neither fighter was visibly hurt. Peñalosa suffered a cut on the right side of his skull from an accidental headbutt and blood trickled from the wound in the final round. Doctors later applied a "staple" procedure to close the cut and no stitches were required. The "staples" will be cleaned up after five days.
Peñalosa’s wife Goody, who flew in with children J. C. Boy, 7, and Julienne Gayle, 5, a week before the fight, said the consensus at ringside was the judges weren’t fair.
"De Leon threw more punches but Gerry blocked a lot of them with his gloves and arms and many missed completely," said a ringsider. "Gerry connected the cleaner shots and deserved more than what the judges gave him credit for."
Peñalosa was applauded by fans when he showed up for breakfast at the Raffles Café in the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino the morning after.
"About 50 to 60 Caucasians eating in the restaurant clapped their hands for Gerry," related Peñalosa’s wife. "At the hotel lobby, several Mexicans waited to congratulate Gerry like he won the fight."
Peñalosa and his family will leave Las Vegas today for Los Angeles. They will visit Disneyland at Anaheim before departing for Manila on Friday.