Philippines, 20 Dec 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Tough test for Penalosa


PhilBoxing.com




Gerry and Carlo Penalosa (right).

Carlo Penalosa is next in line to uphold the family tradition of boxing champions and he?s determined to follow in the footsteps of uncles Gerry and Dodie Boy. This afternoon, Penalosa will attempt to capture the vacant International Boxing Organization (IBO) flyweight title when he battles Mexico?s Maximino Flores in a 12-rounder at the TV5 Studios, Novaliches.

Penalosa?s mother Marissa is the sister of Gerry and Dodie Boy, both former two-time world titleholders. Gerry, 47, held the WBC superflyweight and WBO bantamweight crowns while Dodie Boy, 56, was the IBF lightflyweight and flyweight ruler. Now, Penalosa, 26, hopes to join his uncles in the ranks of Filipino world champions.

It won?t be an easy ascent. Flores, 28, is a rugged veteran with a 24-4-1 record, including 17 KOs. He?s coming off a first round disposal of Jorge Hernandez in Tijuana. In 2016, Flores was in Bacolod to face Milan Melindo and lost on a seventh round technical decision as the fight went to the scorecards when the Filipino was cut over the left eye by an accidental headbutt. He vowed to win his second assignment in the country. Flores turned pro in 2010 and started his career on an 8-0 run. His biggest triumphs were over previously unbeaten Angel Ramos and David Martinez, both of whom he stopped. In 2017, he dropped a 12-round decision to Andrew Selby in England.

Penalosa, a southpaw, has never fought overseas but his last three victims were foreigners, all of whom were knocked out. They were Indonesia?s Iwan Key, Tanzania?s Jemsi Kibazange and Thailand?s Watana Phenbaan. Since losing a split six-round decision to Reymark Taday in 2017, Penalosa has won seven in a row, the last four inside the distance to raise his record to 14-1, with 7 KOs.

With his uncle Gerry promoting, Penalosa said he won?t let the family down. ?Pinaghandaan ko ito,? he said. ?Ito na ang aking pagkakataon maging world champion. Gagawin ko ang lahat upang manalo. Malakas at matibay si Flores. Pero wala akong kinakatakutan.? Gerry?s brother Jonathan, who fought for the WBA flyweight crown and lost in 1992, will be in Penalosa?s corner as chief second.


Maximino Flores and trainer Rafael Guzman.

Flores and trainer Rafael Guzman arrived from Mexico last Sunday. Flores? manager Sergio Sotelo flew in the next day. ?In all my fights, I leave everything in the ring and that?s what I?m known for,? said Flores in Spanish. ?This won?t be an exception. I guarantee it will be an exciting fight for the fans.?

One of five children, Flores said Penalosa is no exceptional fighter. ?I don?t see anything different in his style compared to others,? said the welder?s son. ?He knows how to box. But he leaves himself wide open.?

Referee for the fight is Australia?s Garry Dean, 68. The judges are Adam Height of Australia, Kevin Pyne of New Zealand and Jerrold Tomeldan of the Philippines. IBO Asia-Pacific vice president Steve Scott of New Zealand is the supervisor.

The Florida-based IBO was established in 1988 and Ed Levine has been its president since 1999. Although it isn?t recognized as one of the world?s four major boxing bodies, the IBO has a reputation of transparency and objectivity as its ratings are generated by a computer system. Sen. Manny Pacquiao was once the IBO lightwelterweight champion and Nonito Donaire, the IBO flyweight titlist. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. was an IBO welterweight king.

The title fight will be the main event of a card featuring the Ultimate Boxing Series (UBS) flyweight and bantamweight finals in a pair of eight-round supporting bouts. In the flyweight final, unbeaten April Jay Abne takes on Ronel Sumalpong while in the bantamweight final between undefeated fighters, Aljum Pelesio meets Lienard Sarcon.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
    , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
    , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
    , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
    , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
    , Thu, 18 Dec 2025
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Merry Fistmas’ at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Tomorrow Night at 7 pm ET
    , Thu, 18 Dec 2025
  • Undefeated Jose Tito Sanchez Returns to Face Jesus Ramirez Rubio in Super Bantamweight Main Event on Friday
    , Thu, 18 Dec 2025
  • Three boxers aim for finals
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025
  • BOOM! Terence Crawford Stuns the World with Retirement at 42-0
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025
  • Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Biggest “Crossroads” Fight Ever!
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Wed, 17 Dec 2025
  • Donaire ready for Tsutsumi
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT: WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED AS CONNOR MITCHELL GETS READY FOR HIS PRO DEBUT
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION DECEMBER 15 DECEMBER 2025: Gassiev KO Pulev in 6; Mikaeljan Beats Jack for WBC Cruiser Title; Pacheco Outpoints Sadjo
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • Sumalinog, Castanol rule Senior, PWD fun run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • Vargas urges boxers to defy odds
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • GIORGIO VISIOLI SETS OUT MISSION TO LAND MAJOR TITLES AFTER TENSE FIRST FACE-OFF WITH ENGLISH TITLE RIVAL JOE HOWARTH
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • Kevin Brown and Yoenis Tellez Shine at Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During the 104th Annual WBA Convention
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Justin Cardona Shares Insights Ahead of December 19 Showdown Against Avious Griffin
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • JAS MATHUR JOINS MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS AS CEO TO LEAD STRATEGIC VISION, CREATIVITY AND GLOBAL GROWTH INITIATIVES
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • Split-T Management Signs Amateur Standout Adrian Salazar
    , Tue, 16 Dec 2025
  • INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
    , Mon, 15 Dec 2025
  • Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 15 Dec 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.