25 years ago
In Joo Cho vs Gerry Penalosa
Date: 2nd January 2000
Venue: Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel, Seoul, South Korea
Title: WBC World Super-flyweight Title
Promoter: Poongsan Promotions
Referee: Marty Denkin
In Joo Cho
(
16
-
0
-
0
)
Weight: 114 lbs
Gerry Penalosa
(
40
-
2
-
0
)
Weight: 114 3/4 lbs
On January 2, 2000, at the Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel in Seoul, South Korea, In Joo Cho defended his WBC World Super-Flyweight Title for the fourth time in a rematch against former champion Gerry Peñalosa of the Philippines. Cho, unbeaten in 16 professional fights, had taken the title from Peñalosa in August 1998 via split decision. This result sparked debate among fans and set the stage for this closely contested rematch.
From the opening bell, the fight unfolded as a tactical battle, with Cho utilizing his precise jab and movement to keep the aggressive Peñalosa at bay. Peñalosa, known for his counterpunching ability, sought to close the distance, landing occasional body shots but struggling to string combinations against the elusive champion. Cho's work rate and ability to control the pace of the bout appeared to give him the edge in several early rounds.
Peñalosa began to find his rhythm as the fight progressed, landing cleaner punches in the middle rounds, particularly with his left hand. However, Cho remained composed, using his footwork to circle out of danger and respond with flurries to maintain his momentum. The later rounds saw both fighters trading in brief exchanges, with Cho doing just enough to stay ahead on the cards.
The judges' scorecards reflected the tight nature of the contest. Tony Castellano scored it 115-112 for Cho, Ken Morita had it wider at 116-113 for the champion, while Anek Hongtongkam saw it 114-113 for Peñalosa. The split decision again favoured Cho, allowing him to retain his title and extend his unbeaten record to 17-0.
This victory marked Cho's penultimate successful title defence. He went on to defend his belt once more against Julio Cesar Avila before losing it to Masamori Tokuyama in Osaka, Japan, by unanimous decision. For Peñalosa, the rematch loss marked a turning point as he began transitioning towards the bantamweight division, where he later enjoyed renewed success.