For his first title defense, Negrense world boxing champion Gerry Peñalosa is drawing inspiration from compatriot Manny Pacquiao, who scored a razor-thin split decision win over Juan Manuel Marquez two weeks ago.

The San Carlos City-born Peñalosa battles old rival Ratanachai Sor Vorapin of Thailand in the main event of the card dubbed “Invasion" Philippines vs. the World slated at the Araneta Coliseum on April 6.

Peñalosa, the reigning WBO bantamweight champion, said Pacquiao’s win has motivated him to train harder, a report posted on abs-cbnnews.com said.  

“Inspirasyon siya (Pacquiao) sa lahat ng boxer (He is an inspiration to all boxers,” Peñalosa, who is making his first defense of the crown he won in August last year over Mexico’s Jhonny Gonzalez.

The same report said the WBO champ has toiled at the gym for the past three months, hoping to duplicate his earlier win against Vorapin, whom he considered a "dangerous foe."

And with Pacquiao on his side, Peñalosa’s resolve to win has strengthened further.

Pacquiao has thrown his all-out support to Peñalosa, who also trained at the Wild Card Gym in California.

Pacquiao and Peñalosa on Tuesday night received honors at the Elorde Hall of Fame awards. Pacquiao received the Hall of Fame award, aside from being named as one of the Boxers of the Year, together with Peñalosa.

With the entire Philippines expected to keep a close watch on the fight, Peñalosa vowed to make his countrymen proud, just like Pacquiao did.

Also slated in the “Invasion” card are the fights of Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, who will face Genaro Camargo of Mexico; AJ “Bazooka” Banal, who battles undefeated Caril Herrera.*CPT

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