Ex-Olympic coach to train Peñalosas

MANILA, Philippines - Former US Olympic boxing coach Terry (Bubba) Stotts is in town to train the Peñalosa brothers Dodie Boy Jr. and Dave who are set to face Mexican opponents at the Cuneta Astrodome on March 23. Stotts, 53, has been described in a boxing forum on the web as “the best mittman on the planet.”

San Francisco lawyer Sydney Hall brought Stotts over from Crowley, Texas, last Monday night. Hall and Stotts were in Angeles City yesterday to meet American boxing trainer Rich Staheli. The Peñalosa brothers are scheduled to arrive in Manila early next week after the Sinulog festival in Cebu. The other day, Stotts worked the mitts in Yoly Alfante’s gym in Pasay City, drawing raves from Hall who said his experience will go a long way in preparing the Peñalosas for bigger fights in the future.

“Bubba’s here to find a diamond in the rough,” said Hall. “He has the reputation of turning opponents into winners. He’s known as the top mittman in the business. Nobody works the mitts like him. He’ll do wonders for Dodie Boy and Dave.”

Hall said in 1997, Gerry and Dodie Boy Peñalosa Sr. met Stotts in Roy Jones’ camp in Pensacola, Florida. “I asked Gerry if I could bring Bubba over and work with the boys,” said Hall. “I told Gerry everything about Bubba, that he learned the ropes from Eddie Futch with Freddie Roach then branched out on his own while Freddie stayed with Eddie. Bubba did work with Roger and Floyd Mayweather and was in Vince Phillips’ corner when he knocked out Kostya Tszyu for the IBF lightwelterweight title in 1997.”

Stotts was in the coaching staff of the celebrated US Olympic boxing team in 1988. Among the fighters on the team were Jones, Michael Carbajal, Kennedy McKinney, Ray Mercer and Riddick Bowe. Aside from Futch, Stotts was also mentored by US Army boxing coach Ken Adams. In the pro ranks, Stotts trained a slew of world champions, including Phillips, McKinney, Milton McCrory, Steve McCrory, Mike McCallum, Mbulelo Botile and Vuyani Bungu. In the Army, he was stationed in Guam for two years and during his stay in the island, was involved in 28 boxing shows as a trainer, judge and promoter. In his heyday, Stotts was unbeaten as a trainer in 18 straight world title fights.

“I’m grateful to Sydney for bringing me to the Philippines,” said Stotts. “There’s a lot of boxing potential out there, a lot of undiscovered talent I hope to be able to spot and develop into champions. I know about Filipino fighters. In Guam back in the ‘80s, I saw Filipino fighters like Cisco Ferrer and Lulu Villaverde. I know about Flash Elorde and Manny Pacquiao, the greatest Filipino fighters ever, and I’m convinced there’s a lot more Manny Pacquiaos out there waiting to be discovered.”

As a fighter himself, Stotts had a forgettable career. He turned pro with a first round knockout over Armando Romero in Las Vegas in 1982 then lost four in a row in the next four months. Stotts then turned from fighter to trainer but in 1993, came out an 11-year retirement, to face movie actor Mickey Rourke in Missouri. “Freddie, who trained Mickey, asked me if I could do a comeback fight,” said Stotts. “I lost in three rounds but to this day, we’ve all remained friends. I’ve gone on to train a lot of world champions and now, I’m looking to work with young kids who are ready to go to the next level.”

Dodie Boy Jr., 22, was sensational in his US debut last December, knocking out Jesus Lule in two. He is slated to take on Mexico’s Lizandro de los Santos in a 10-round bout for the vacant WBO Oriental superbantamweight title on March 23. Dodie Boy Jr. has a 10-0 record, with 10 KOs, while De los Santos’ mark is 19-10, with 7 KOs. Dodie Boy’s brother Dave, 21, battles Mexico’s Juan Jimenez in a six-rounder on the same Cuneta Astrodome card. Dave’s record is 5-0, with 3 KOs while Jimenez totes a slate of 11-6, with 9 KOs.