Gerry defers decision to retire

MANILA, Philippines - Two-time world boxing champion Gerry Peñalosa said the other day he hasn’t made up his mind whether or not to retire but will make an announcement in a week about his future plans.

Speaking from his Las Vegas Hilton hotel room in an overseas phonecall, Peñalosa deferred making a hasty decision after he lost a controversial split 12-round verdict to Eric Morel in an interim WBO bantamweight title bout last Saturday. He left Las Vegas for Los Angeles yesterday and will fly back to Manila today, landing on Friday.

“My dream is to retire a world champion,” said Peñalosa. “I’m no quitter. But I’m thinking about the future. I’m talking things over with my family. I’m considering my health which is important to my wife and kids. I think Morel can become a world champion someday. He has a good chance to beat (Fernando) Montiel if they fight for the WBO title. But is Morel worthy to become a world champion?”

Peñalosa said it’s not fair for Morel to challenge Montiel for the world crown because last Saturday’s outcome wasn’t conclusive. He disclosed that Freddie Roach, who worked his corner, wants a rematch.

“After the fight, I asked Freddie what he thinks is next for me, what he wants me to do,” said Peñalosa. “He told me I won the fight and he wants a rematch. Even if we ask for a rematch, I don’t think Morel will agree to fight me again. Why will he take a chance on me?”

Peñalosa said if not for the cuts he suffered from headbutts, the fight would’ve had a more decisive conclusion. Morel’s headbutts opened two cuts on both Peñalosa’s eyebrows. Peñalosa said two of the four cuts had to be closed with four stitches each in the hospital.

“The cuts weren’t that deep but the blood was bothering my vision,” said Peñalosa. “I wanted to pressure Morel a lot more especially when he started to slow down midway in the fight. I think I controlled the fight in the late rounds and hurt him with body shots. But because of the blood, I couldn’t go all out. I had to fight a little defensively.”

Peñalosa said despite the handicap, he refused to quit. “When the ringside doctor examined me a second time, he asked if I could see clearly,” he related. “I told him I couldn’t see too much but I could still fight.”

Peñalosa insisted none of Morel’s blows had a major impact.

“I can take his power,” said Peñalosa. “His power wasn’t the problem. It was my cuts. I could see his first punch coming but because of the blood entering my eyes, I couldn’t see his follow-up so I had difficulty countering. I had to cover up more than I wanted to because I couldn’t see where his second punches were coming from.”

Peñalosa said he trained hard for the fight and it showed down the stretch.

“My stamina was good,” he continued. “I never got tired. I think I was fresher than him in the end. If ever we fight again, I’ll pressure him from the start. My mistake was I let him get an early lead then when I got cut, I fought defensively and became erratic with my offense.”

Peñalosa said he hasn’t discussed the future with promoter Bob Arum.

“We haven’t talked,” said Peñalosa, referring to the Top Rank chief executive officer. “But I spoke with my manager Billy (Keane, Roach’s best friend). Billy told me he’ll abide by whatever decision I make. Billy feels that if I’m still hungry, if I still want to win the title badly, I should go on. If you’re hungry, you’ll have the discipline to train hard. But if you’ve lost the will to win, then it’s time to retire.”