By Ashley Bercasio
Two-division world boxing champion Gerry Peñalosa clarified that he will not be DK Yoo’s trainer for the latter’s exhibition/charity match against retired Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.
Yoo, a Korean martial artist and YouTuber, will face Pacquiao in a two-minute six-rounder match on December 10 in Seoul, South Korea.
A lion’s share of the fight’s earnings will go to the rehabilitation of the war-torn Ukraine and Pacquiao’s housing program.
Peñalosa said he met Yoo twice. The first was in his recent trip to Korea where he also watched the Korean YouTuber’s workout.
The second time was during the 42-year-old’s visit to the Philippines last July 20 for the formal announcement of the fight.
Yoo even visited one of Peñalosa’s gyms while in the country.
But in an exclusive interview with PTV, Peñalosa spelled out that there was no official offer to be Yoo’s trainer against his good friend Pacquiao.
“Wala namang official, so ano lang, as kaibigan lang,” said Peñalosa. “Narinig ko, parang pinag-uusapan nila, tapos sabi nga parang aware ka if ever,” he added.
Asked whether he would accept or decline if Yoo’s does actually send him a formal offer, the 49-year-old Peñalosa said he would have to consider a lot of things first.
“Unang-una Pilipino tayo eh, ayaw nating kumbaga magalit sa atin si Manny. Pero ‘di natin alam kasi ito entertainment lang naman eh. Hindi naman ito seryosong boxing eh. Let’s see, kung makakatulong [sa] marketing, tignan natin kung ano ‘yung maganda,” Peñalosa said.
“Actually, nag[laro] ‘yan sa isip ko agad eh, nu’ng pauwi ako,” he said.
“Pero siyempre pag-iisapan lahat eh, kasi commitment ‘yan eh, iba-balance rin natin kung worth it ba, makakatulong ba, so mahirap din magsalita na ayaw ko or gusto ko,” Peñalosa added.
Whether he would be Yoo’s trainer or not, Peñalosa revealed that he gave Yoo an advice prior to his match against the only eight-division world champion.
“Itatak mo sa isip mo, Pacquiao is a monster sa itaas ng ring, so kailangan mong maghanda,” he said.
