Peñalosa stops Jimenez in four

CEBU, Philippines - Rising star Dodie Boy Peñalosa, Jr. (5-0, 5KOs) showed he is ready for a bigger challenge in his budding career after he scored another resounding knockout victory, this time against Jeffrey Jimenez (5-9-2, 3KOs) in the main event of "Dugong Kampiyon" fight card the other night at the Cebu Coliseum.

It was Peñalosa's fifth straight win via stoppage.

The Manila-based Jimenez of Casablanca Gym proved to be a real test for the 20-year old Peñalosa as the two fighters went toe-to-toe in the opening round.

Blood trickled on Peñalosa's face after he sustained a cut over his left eye caused by an accidental head clash late in the opening session.

But instead of being wary, Peñalosa continued his aggressive attack and landed some solid blows to Jimenez, who started to feel the punches of the Cebuano fighter in the third round.

In the fourth round, the son of former two-time world champion Dodie Boy Sr. and nephew of the legendary Gerry Peñalosa delivered a devastating left hook that sent Jimenez down at the seat of his pants.

Feeling the power of Peñalosa's shot, Jimenez failed to beat the referee's count, thus, ending the bout at 58 seconds of the fourth frame.

In the supporting main event, bantamweight prospect Marvin Mabait kept his unbeaten record after knocking out Aljun Salogaol of Omega Boxing Gym. He unleashed a crushing left straight followed by a furious combination that forced Salogaol to wave the white flag at the1:07 mark of round seven.

The General Santos City-native Sonny Katiangdagho, on the other hand, stopped Johnjier Torbiso in the second round to join the winners' list of the first ever boxing event of GerryPens Promotions.

The “Dugong Kampiyon” slugfest will be aired on GMA News TV at 10 am on July 3. – THE FREEMAN