He bears a surname that is an institution in Philippine boxing. His grandfather, Carl is a former Philippine lightweight and jr.welterweight champ during the 1960’s, his uncle Jonathan was a former WBC international flyweight titlist (1990) and currently a boxing trainer and another uncle, Gerry, won two world titles – WBC superflyweight (1997-98) and WBO bantamweight (2007-2009).
His father, Dodie, despite having one shorter leg due to childhood polio, was the first Filipino boxer to win two world titles at two different weights – IBF lt. flyweight (1983-85) and IBF flyweight (1987).
The family tree is enough to put pressure on the 19 year old Dodie Boy Pe?alosa, Jr. when he makes his six round professional debut in the undercard of Brian Viloria’s second title defense against Carlos Tamara of Columbia on January 23 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
He is currently trained and managed by his father. Promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud informed philboxing of Dodie,Jr.’s pro debut but the Pe?alosas do not know who the opponent will be. Philboxing visited father and son while they were training at the Cebu City Sports Complex whose facilities are located inside the Abellana National High School grounds.
Dodie,Jr. is a southpaw and will be fighting at 122 lbs. but the elder Pe?alosa plans to have his son campaign at 118 in subsequent fights. He has been boxing as an amateur for four years and has won the gold twice in national tournaments. His name was mentioned in the sports pages last year because he was being recruited to join the national team. He was hyped as having the genetic predisposition to win Olympic gold. But after a couple of months he got homesick and preferred to be close to his family while subsequently planning to turn pro.
He is the eldest of three siblings and a second year mechanical engineering student at Southwestern University of Cebu City. He hopes to continue his studies if the school allows him to take fewer units per semester.
He is currently only 4 lbs. over the superbantamweight limit. WBO welterweight super champion Manny Pacquiao was impressed with the younger Pe?alosa and offered to bring him to the U.S. But Dodie,Sr. does not want to rush things and plans to observe his son’s progress one fight at a time. The elder Penalosa told us an amusing story that while he plans to make his son campaign at a lower weight, Pacquiao wants him to bulk up so he can campaign at a higher weight like the legendary pound for pound king.
Growing up in a boxing family guarantees solid basics. It also carries the weight of high expectations. But one thing for sure, another Pe?alosa in the ring will make the local boxing scene very interesting in 2010.
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