Peñalosa survives knockdown to score TKO win over Marcos

CEBU, Philippines - Despite scoring his seventh straight knockout win, super bantamweight prospect Dodie Boy Peñalosa, Jr. learned a very important lesson in boxing the hard way.

The 21-year-old Peñalosa scored a third round TKO victory against veteran Donriel Marcos in the main event of the “Dugong Kampeon” fight card the other night at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.

But it was a real acid test for the world title hopeful as he suffered the first knockdown of his budding career courtesy of a wild right overhand from Marcos in the first round.

It was a stunning moment at the Hoops Dome when the young Peñalosa crashed down onto the canvass. He got up quickly though and recovered until the remaining seconds of the round expired.

Peñalosa kept his composure in round two by neutralizing the wild shots released by the unorthodox fighter from Lanao Del Norte. A low blow sent Peñalosa on the mat once more grimacing in pain.

After he was given five minutes to recover, Peñalosa pressured his opponent with several body shots. He pinned Marcos against the ropes but the Mindanao brawler countered with a couple of wayward swings.

In a strange twist of event, it was referee Tony Pesons who caught the attention of the crowd as he accidentally slipped and went down the canvass at the end of the round.

Peñalosa's brightest moment came in round three when he peppered Marcos with a barrage of punches to the head a body.

Sensing that his foe ran out of gas, Peñalosa swiftly went for the kill, forcing Marcos' corner to halt the carnage at the 2:54 mark of the third round.

Peñalosa in a post-fight interview admitted that he made some mistakes and promised not to commit it again. “Leksyon gyud to nako. Sobra ra ka confident unya wa sad nako bantayi ang iyang sukmag unya nakalitan pud ko ato kay mura’g gilambos to sukmaga,” he said.

Former world champion-turned promoter Gerry Peñalosa found a positive thing out of what had happened as he knew it will give his nephew a time to reflect on his error, improve his craft and eventually become a more complete fighter.

Also, Gerry Peñalosa bared that they will politely decline the offer to include Dodie Boy, Jr. in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez trilogy this November 11 in Las Vegas.

“Wag muna. He will have his chance, pero sa pagkakaron kinahanglan pa gyud nga makakuha si Dodie Boy og daghang experience,” said Gerry Peñalosa.

In the supporting bouts, Michael Fareñas won the Philippine featherweight title with a scrappy 12-round unanimous decision win against Edgar Gabejan, Eden Sonsona hammered a seventh round TKO victory over Godwin Tubigon, while Dave Peñalosa passed his baptism of fire with a convincing unanimous decision win against John Edu Torbiso. - THE FREEMAN