DODIE Boy Pe?alosa Jr. is looking to stay perfect and impress his uncle, the retired two-division world champion Gerry Pe?alosa, in his fight this Saturday night because an emphatic victory could earn him a slot in the undercard of the upcoming Nov. 12 battle between pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas.
Dodie Boy Jr., 21, will be locking horns with journeyman Donriel Marcos in an eight-round bout in the main event of the latest edition of ?Dugong Kampeon? at the state-of-the-art Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
?My training now is different from my last fight because of my cut. Now I?m 100 percent and I?m confident. I will try to knock him out,? Dodie Jr. said in a press conference yesterday at the Sports Exchange Bar and Grill.
The unbeaten Dodie Boy Jr. is gunning for his seventh straight knockout in his seventh fight. He is off a third-round destruction over Thai Kong Kiatpratcha Gym last month.
Dodie Boy?s fight this Saturday will be a gauge for Gerry if the younger Pe?alosa is ready for the bigger stage.
Also on Saturday, Dave Pe?alosa, Dodie?s younger brother, will make his debut against John Edu Torbiso (0-1-1).
?It depends on his fight. We have huge plans for him but we are not rushing things,? said Gerry.
Gerry said his close friend Pacquiao has reserved a slot in the undercard for his nephew and that he will decide this Saturday night if he will take the offer.
The 28-year-old Marcos, 10-13 with 1 KO, won?t be a walk in the park for the less experienced Dodie Boy because the former has fought some notable fighters. He has faced the likes of former world title challenger Sod Kokietgym, Ramie Laput and Genesis Servania.
