Former two-division world champion Dodie Boy Penalosa is flattered by news stories referring to him now as the new conditioning coach of superstar Manny Pacquiao, but the southpaw brother of WBO bantam champ Gerry Penalosa warns: “Not so fast!”
Penalosa, who ruled as the IBF light-flyweight and IBF flyweight king in the 80’s and was hailed as the “Manny Pacquiao of his time,’ insists that there is more to being a conditioning coach than just having a popular name and great boxing credentials.
“Right now, I am just helping Coach Freddie train Manny. I have no illusions of becoming the conditioning coach, although that would sound nice to my pride. There are other guys at Wild Card like Ola and them who are more deserving of that title,” clarified the humble former champion, who terrorized his division in the 80’s. “I am just so proud to be working for Manny. Fighters like him come once in a thousand years. I am just too honored to be part of his team,” said Penalosa.
Right now, Penalosa says that he is just content on being called “the brother of Gerry Penalosa.”
“Gerry said he will bring me to the US for his next fight. I hope that happens” says Penalosa “Coach Freddie has told me he will bring me to Manila when Gerry sees action in an exhibition bout. I would be glad to assist him,” added Dodie Boy.
A Story of Courage and Heart
Considered the most popular fighter during his prime, Dodie Boy Penalosa is the first Filipino to become dual world champion. Dodie ruled as the Philippine and OPBF light-flyweight champion before winning the IBF 108-lb title in Osaka, Japan on December 10, 1983. He stopped Satoshi Shingaki in the 12th round of a scheduled 15-rounder.
Penalosa defended the title thrice, defeating Korean Jae Hong Kim, Indon Yani Dokolamo and another Korean Jum Hwan Choi.
He relinquished the title and vied for the WBA flyweight diadem, losing a unanimous decision to Panamanian Hilario Zapata. Two bouts later, Penalosa took the IBF flyweight title, knocking out Hi Sup Shin in the fifth round right at the latter’s home turf in Inchon, South Korea. He lost the title in his first defense in Manila against Korean Chang Ho Choi.
One makes this so special is that Penalosa has been polio-stricken since birth!
“Despite his disability, I would rank Dodie as perhaps one of the most complete fighters I’ve ever seen. He was simply phenomenal in his prime,” said Penalosa’s former manager Rex ‘Wakee’ Salud.
Penalosa is a humble gladiator, and a testament to Bravery, Courage, and that nothing is impossible to those that believe and work hard to achieve their goals.
