Philippines, 11 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


DODIE BOY PENALOSA JR MAY STEAL LIMELIGHT FROM THE MAIN EVENT


PhilBoxing.com


Dodie Boy Penalosa Jr who is making his professional debut on Saturday in a fight card full of promising young boxers in the same gymnasium where Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao carved a name for himself, may steal the limelight from the main event in which featherweight Michael Farenas takes on Sunan Thosen of Thailand on Saturday.

The Mandaluyong Gym will be the venue for the launching of the son of former two division world champion Dodie Boy Penalosa who decided that his 18 year old son and prot?g? turn pro because of the apparent lack of a future as an amateur.

Newly elected president of the Philippine Amateur Boxing Association Ricky Vargas expressed disappointment over the decision of the 18 year old Penalosa, a two-time national champion, to turn pro. Vargas said he and PLDT-Smart owner Manny Pangilinan who is the new chairman of the ABAP were prepared to invest substantial resources in a well-crafted amateur boxing program in the quest for an elusive Olympic gold medal.

Vargas told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that if the deciding factor was the need to earn, that could have been discussed with the new ABAP leadership and wouldn?t have been a problem.

When WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa raised the issue with us we informed him of the potential for Dodie Boy Penalosa Jr to have a rewarding amateur career by setting his sights on an Olympic gold in London in 2012 but we were informed that the youngster?s father had made up his mind for him to turn pro although it was clear that it would take a few years and a lot of hard work before he could become a worthy contender in the pro ranks.

Fight fans will get a chance to see the potential of the young Penalosa when he meets John Henric Dones who is also making his pro debut in a fight card promoted by Gerry Penalosa in cooperation with Mayor Benhur Abalos. The fights will be telecast by Viva Sports on its top-rated weekly boxing show ?The Main Event? sponsored by Tanduay, the No.1 Rhum and Pagcor on Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. over CS/9, right after Solar Sports ?live? coverage of the NBA Games.

Hard-hitting southpaw Farenas who has a record of 23?2-2 with 20 knockouts has had three fights in the US, winning all three impressively. He made his US debut with a 2nd round TKO of Arturo Valenzuela at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino on October 6, 2007 and followed with a 3rd round TKO over Baudel Cardenas at the same venue on March 15, 2008. In his last fight on May 17, Farenas scored a unanimous eight round decision over Fermin De Los Santos in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

In his last fight which was also at the Mandaluyong Gym, Farenas made short work of a Thai patsy identified as Sorachet Tongmala winning by a 1st round knockout. This time around Penalosa said Farenas? Thai opponent, Sunan Thosen, is reportedly a tough opponent with a record of 18-4.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Hebert Conceicao Sousa Wins Perilous Unanimous Decision over Johan Gonzalez in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Prudential Center  in Brick City
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • ARGENTINE KO KING CHAVES FACES MADUENO IN LAS VEGAS
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Team USA Clinches Eight Medals At 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Weights From ‘Mielnicki vs. Huerta’ Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Boquiren to face Olmillo in RFL on April 18
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • USA Opens Strong at 2026 Gee Bee Tournament In Helsinki
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Filipino chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas eyes Woman International Master title
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Blazen Rocili "The Filipino Giant" Dominates in Statement Victory at "Rumble in the UNE," Improves to 10-0
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Oppas to face Lu on April 11 in Australia
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Ilar, Infiesto to play in Guevarra Chess Cup
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Pabular to face Kitano on April 13 at Korakuen Hall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Five reasons why IBA NOMAD 14 in Almaty is worth watching
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Antonio bounces back in Sydney International Open Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Los Angeles Prospect Jahvad McDermott
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Staying active is Magsayo’s priority
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Abu Bakar ready to rumble against Singh on April 11
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Atty. Aldwin Alegre is set to compete in the 23rd Bangkok Chess Club Open 2026 to be held at the Luxurious Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, Thailand from April 11-19, 2026.
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • WEIGH IN RESULTS IGLESIAS VS SILYAGIN - TOMORROW NIGHT IN MONTREAL!
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Kristian Prenga Headlines “Crossroads in Brick City” on June 6 in Newark
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Macala, Silva, Lopez to play in 14th Atty. Jong Guevarra Cup
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Former World Champion Miguel Berchelt Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in  Las Vegas
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Sem Japet Enano Stuns Hometown Favorite Tyrell Adams to Claim IBO Oceania Featherweight Title
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • IBF lightweight eliminator tops IBA.PRO 17 card in Ufa
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Biasong fights Bustrillo on April 18 in Bukidnon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026
  • Olmillo fights Boquiren on April 18 in RFL
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.