Absolute differences are the key ingredient for a classic plot. This weekend, the boxing limelight will shine anew as Filipino pride Gerry Penalosa will give his best, and maybe even his last, endeavor to bring home a third world title in as many weight classes. But that task for Penalosa will be easier said than done as he takes on Puerto Rican sensation Juan Manuel Lopez, the reigning WBO super bantamweight champion, on HBO Boxing After Dark.
Penalosa, who turned pro in 1989 at a time when Lopez was probably still playing hide-and-seek on the outskirts of Caguas, Puerto Rico, holds an emphatic record of 54-6-2 with 36 KOs, scoring outstanding performances against the likes of Jhonny Gonzales, Hiroshi Kawasima and Ratanachai Sor Vorapin. On the other hand, the much younger Lopez, who turned pro not too long ago, holds an equally impressive record of 24-0-0 with 22 big wins coming by way of stoppage.
The bout, dubbed as "Champion versus Champion", will commence in Lopez's own backyard at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico and is expected to be one of the finest grudge matches in recent memory.
Both fighters are out on a mission!
Penalosa, hoping to ascend upon the Mount Olympus of boxing, will look to showcase another splendid showing that will cement his legacy as one of the all-time best prizefighters the Malayan race has ever produced. Similarly, Lopez is out to etch his name amidst the upper echelon of the sweet science, hoping to follow the footsteps of his countryman Felix "Tito" Trinidad.
An offensive menace that seemingly possesses Paul Bunyan's unusual lumberjack strength, Lopez is a force to be reckoned with. On the flip side, Penalosa is a defensive tactician who honed and perfected his craft like a bottle of wine that has endured time and improved in quality through the years.
The bout, or should I say war, is embellished with gold and silver linings and carries dreams and aspirations of not only two courageous gentlemen, but also two proud and storied cultures.