MANILA, Philippines - Dodie Boy Peñalosa Jr., a third generation of former world champions, vows to go all-out as he tries to stretch his unbeaten run in the pros to six against Thai foe Kong Kiatpracha on Sunday at the Mandaue Sports Complex in Cebu.
“I will give my everything to win,” said the 21-year-old Peñalosa in yesterday’s pre-fight press conference at the 17th floor of GMA-7 Network’s main building in Kamuning, Quezon City, in Filipino.
Peñalosa, who swept his five matches via knockouts after turning pro last year, is out to follow the ring exploits of grandfather Carl, father Dodie Boy Sr. and uncle Gerry.
Carl is a former national lightweight champion who trained son Dodie Boy Sr., a polio-stricken fighter who became a two-time world champion, and then later another son Gerry, another two-time world titlist.
The young Peñalosa will now use “Dugong Kampeon” (champion’s blood) as his monicker.
Dodie Sr. and Gerry, however, think Dodie Jr. still has a lot to learn.
“Defense, footwork, jabs, he needs to learn all these things to become a champion someday,” said Dodie, Sr., who now trains and manages his son’s career.
“Yes he’s talented but he would need to train harder and fight more to be like us,” said Gerry, who is Dodie Jr.’s promoter.
Dodie Jr. is gunning no less than a stoppage the way he did in beating his first five opponents when he faces a brawler like Kiatpracha, who has a 5-8-1 (win-loss-draw) record.