MOREL READY TO FIGHT PENALOSA ANYWHERE
by Ronnie Nathanielsz

Former WBA flyweight champion Eric Morel says he’s ready to face WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa in a mandatory title fight anywhere.

The deadline for negotiations is April and unless the handlers of both Penalosa and Morel come to terms, it will go to a purse bid.

Morel has told Lee Bates of Fight News that the stage is set for the title fight but he didn’t have an exact date and that his promoter PR Best Boxing were working on finalizing the fight.

However, there’s a hitch because Golden Boy Promotions who handle Penalosa are no longer keen on working on the mandatory title defense following Penalosa’s reported request for a release.

www.insidesports, Standard Today and Viva Sports have learned that Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schafer has expressed willingness to release Penalosa from his promotional contract but at a price.

In the meantime Penalosa, with the assistance of Cebu promoter Sammy Gello-ani is trying to arrange a non-title, tune-up fight in January against Heriberto Ruiz who beat Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista in his last fight. The problem is the WBO may not allow a non-title fight so close to Penalosa’s mandatory.

Besides, the Ruiz-Bautista fight was arranged by Golden Boy Promotions and with Penalosa asking for his release it is unlikely that GBP will help in getting the fight done.

Morel was quoted as saying that he doesn’t know where the title fight will be held but added “honestly it doesn’t matter. I am ready to get in there with him and win my second division world title.”

Morel said he doesn’t anticipate any problems dealing with Penalosa who is a southpaw, pointing out that he had fought southpaws before and done well. He said with “a solid camp and preparation for a southpaw it won’t be a problem for me at all.”

Reminded by boxing writer Bates that Penalosa won the title from Jhonny Gonzalez with one well-placed body shot, Morel said he always had a solid defense but added, “keep in mind I’m going to be throwing punches with power so he (Penalosa) will have to be cautious about my power as well.”

Morel, nicknamed “Little Hands of Steel” ripped three-time world title challenger Ricardo Vargas in less than one round earlier in December which prompted him to say “I’m more than just a boxer. I can punch too”

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