PENALOSA-VORAPIN FACE OFF IN REMATCH – APRIL 6

LOS ANGELES, March 28 - The long-awaited rematch between WBO Bantamweight World Champion Gerry Penalosa and Ratanachai Sor Vorapin, is set for April 6 to headline headlines the six-bout event billed as “INVASION:  PHILIPPINES vs. THE WORLD”,  at the historic Araneta Coliseum, home of the classic ‘Thrilla in Manila’ between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier back in 1975. 

Penalosa (52-6, 35 KO’s) will defend his title for the first time against the durable Vorapin (71-9, 47 KO’s), himself a former holder of the belt now owned by Penalosa.  Tickets to the exciting event are on sale now at all TICKETNET outlets in all SM branches and at the Araneta Coliseum box office.

In their first bout in 2000, Penalosa won the WBC International Super Flyweight Ttle with a sixth round TKO of Vorapin.  Since then, Vorapin has won an amazing 32 of 36 fights, which includes a current seven fight winning streak, proving that he’s ready to avenge his loss.

“We’re excited about taking our World Cup series on the road on March 11th, and to do it in the same stadium where Ali and Frazier fought the ‘Thrilla in Manila’ is an honor,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions.  “Penalosa vs.Vorapin is a great main event between two veterans and I know the hometown fans in the Philippines will be behind Penalosa as well as the rest of their warriors on fight night.”

INVASION:  PHILIPPINES vs. THE WORLD is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and ABS-CBN in association with ALA Gym, and will showcase four championship battles topped by the Penalosa-Vorapin world title duel.  The card will be broadcast live in the Philippines and the World via ABS-CBN global network - (TFC) The Filipino Channel in USA, Europe, Middle East, Japan, Australia, Guam and Hawaii.  The broadcast begins at 10am local time / 6pm Pacific time in the US.

In the co-feature, WBO Intercontinental Super Bantamweight Champion Rey "Boom-Boom" Bautista (23-1, 17 KO’s) defends his strap against gutsy Mexican Genaro Camargo (16-3, 10 KO’s) in a 12 round bout.

Another scorcher takes place when undefeated AJ “Bazooka” Banal (15-0, 12 KO’s) fights in a 12 round IBF Super Flyweight Eliminator against unbeaten Uruguayan Caril Herrera (21-0, 13 KO’s) in what appears to be a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate.

Another unbeaten fighter, WBO Oriental and Asia-Pacific Super Bantamweight Titlist Ciso "Kid Terrible" Morales (10-0, 6 KO’s) will defend his titles against South Korea's Yoo Shin Kim (6-1, 4 KO’s).

The first bout starts at 8am local time on April 6, with the veteran Bert Batawang taking on Indonesia's Heri Amol.  Also set to see action is RP Bantamweight Champion, Michael Domingo, who will face Thailand's Thepnimit Sor Chitpattana.