By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Former world super flyweight champion Gerry Penalosa said yesterday he is "ready to fight anybody" among the reigning world bantamweight champions for the title in a fight being lined up by Golden Boy Promotions either in the third week of December or early January.

Penalosa, his confidence oozing after a spectacular ninth round KO win over former WBO champion and world No.1 Mauricio Martinez of Panama in which he dropped Martinez once in the opening round, once in the fourth before putting him away in the ninth in El Paso, Texas said Golden Boy Promotions vice president and international matchmaker Eric Gomez had asked him "who I like to fight," Jhonny Gonzalez or Daniel Ponce De Leon. Penalosa replied "anybody."

Penalosa who returned early yesterday morning with his wife Goody said he would spend a brief "holiday" in the country before returning to Los Angeles to resume training under Freddie Roach at Roach’s famed Wild Card Gym where a number of Filipino boxers led by Manny Pacquiao, train.

Emerging ring sensation Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista who left for LA with outstanding Filipino trainer Edito "Ala" Villamor last Wednesday will resume his preparation for a crucial fight against Brazilian super bantamweight champion Giovanni Andrade on December 2 also at the Wild Card Gym.

Penalosa indicated he would spend about two weeks in Manila before leaving for Los Angeles to resume training for a promised title fight. Gomez himself said Penalosa "looked very good and was in perfect condition and very sharp" against Martinez and is ready for a title shot.

Both Gonzalez and Ponce De Leon are handled by Golden Boy Promotions which also has a growing number of Filipinos in the prestigious organization owned by the great Oscar De La Hoya led by Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao who recently signed a seven-fight deal, Penalosa, Bautista, OPBF champion and world No.1 super flyweight Z "The Dream" Gorres and flyweight contender Diosdado Gabi.