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Philippines, 12 Feb 2026 |
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STORY OF PHILIPPINE BOXING PART XXIII: DODIE BOY PEÑALOSA, THE FIRST FILIPINO TWO-DIVISION WORLD CHAMPION By Maloney L. Samaco PhilBoxing.com Mon, 27 Apr 2020  Considered by many Filipino boxing fans as the most popular fighter during his prime, Diosdado "Dodie Boy" Peñalosa, born November 19, 1962 in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, is the first Filipino to become dual world champion. He had his professional debut on February 28, 1982, winning by unanimous decision over Roger Pilapil in Cebu City. In his tenth pro fight, he won the vacant Philippine light flyweight title by 12th round TKO of Romy Austria at the Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City on November 26, 1982. His first defense of the title was a draw against Alfredo Guanzon in Cebu City on January 30, 1983. Dodie Boy upgraded his achievement by annexing the Orient Pacific Boxing Federation light flyweight title by 11th round TKO of South Korean Sung Nam Kim at the Araneta Coliseum on March 18, 1983. In June 11, 1983, he successfully defended his title by beating Japanese Katsumi Sato via unanimous decision at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, Manila. Peñalosa became world champion when he conquered Japanese Satoshi Shingaki in his home turf in Osaka, Japan by 12th round TKO for the inaugural International Boxing Federation light flyweight title on December 10, 1983. He dominated the fight that in the 8th round Shingaki was given a standing eight count. The bout was not sanctioned by the Japan Boxing Commission, because they did not recognize the newly created IBF that time. Peñalosa defended his IBF world title thrice, defeating Korean Jae Hong Kim by 7th round TKO, Indonesian Yani Dokolamo by 3rd round TKO and another Korean Jum Hwan Choi by unanimous decision. He relinquished the title and fought for the WBA flyweight title, but lost via a unanimous decision to the bigger Panamanian Hilario Zapata at the ULTRA now PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on July 5, 1986. Peñalosa grabbed the IBF world flyweight title, knocking out Hi Sup Shin in the 5th round as the Korean titlist was decked in Inchon, South Korea on February 22, 1987. He lost the title in his first defense in Manila against Korean Chang Ho Choi by 11th round KO on September 5, 1987 at the Araneta Coliseum. Peñalosa moved on to defeat foreign opponents including Thai Kwanjai Sorpengpit by unanimous decision, Korean Bi-Won Jung by unanimous decision, Thai Tongthep Petchsiracha by 8th round TKO, Korean YoungKi Chi by 1st round DQ, and Indonesian Yossi Amnifu by 3rd round TKO. Dodie Boy failed in his attempt to win back his IBF flyweight title losing a split decision to British Dave McAuley in London, England on November 8, 1989. Filipino judge Pascual Ingusan scored it 17-112 for Peñalosa, but British judge Dave Parris saw it 120-109 and Danish judge Torben Seemann Hansen had it 129-113 for McAuley. In the twilight of his career, he fought Filipino former world champions. He drew with former IBF minimumweight champion Manny Melchor, but lost to former IBF flyweight titlist Rolando Bohol by unanimous decision, former IBF flyweight king Tacy Macalos by 6th round technical decision, and former WBC light flyweight ruler Rolando Pascua by unanimous decision. Peñalosa's last pro fight on August 12, 1995 at the Cebu Coliseum against roughhousing Julius Tarona was very controversial. Tarona was deducted a point each in Rounds 4 and 5 for headbutts that caused big cuts above Penalosa's eyes. Peñalosa was floored once in Round 6 and was given another mandatory 8-count when he stopped fighting while complaining about his cut and Tarona's dirty tactics. Dodie Boy was counted out while standing. Peñalosa's cornermen attacked Tarona which provoked a ring riot inside the venue. The fight was later declared a No Contest. Dodie Boy Peñalosa who belong to the famous Peñalosa clan of boxers has been polio-stricken since birth. But this did not hinder him from conquering the impossible - becoming a world champion two times. Top photo shows Dodie Boy Peñalosa (left) with the author. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.  |
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