DODIE Boy Pe?alosa Jr. and Michael Farenas will leave for the US if both young fighters show convincing performances this Saturday night at the Mandaue City Sports Complex.
Former two-division world champion Gerry Pe?alosa, the uncle and promoter of Dodie Boy Jr., promised to bring his nephew to the US to fight in the undercard of the world title defense of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao against Timothy Bradley on June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
But that will only happen if the younger Pe?alosa puts up an impressive showing against his toughest opponent to date, Indonesian journeyman Alex Buckie, 13-25-6 with seven knockouts.
?We?ll see if he (Dodie Boy Jr.) really is the real deal,? said Gerry yesterday in a public preview at the Cebu City Sports Complex.
Though his experience inside the ring isn?t as vast as Buckie?s, Dodie Boy Jr. is up to the challenge and is ready to move on to another chapter of his budding career.
?I?m ready. My experience is in my training because my father (Dodie Boy) and my uncle (Gerry) are world champions, that is better than the experience of my opponent. That is my advantage,? said the unbeaten Dodie Boy Jr., 8-0 with eight knockouts.
Fighting in the US, like his uncle Gerry, is one of Dodie Boy Jr.?s dreams as a professional boxer. A chance to finally make it a reality is one of his inspirations to go the extra mile for this Saturday night.
?I?m not expecting it to be an easy fight,? said the former amateur standout. ?I?m ready and I?m not underestimating him.?
The 27-year-old Farenas, 33-3-3 with 26 knockouts, has caught the eye of Golden Boy Promotions in the US and is a win away from starting a career there.
?This is his last fight in the Philippines. He will campaign in the US and will be based there,? said Gerry.
However, the hard-hitting prot?g? of Gerry is in for a tough night as he takes on tough Jason Egera.
?He must not take any chances against Egera because Egera is also hungry. He must show his worth because Golden Boy is interested in him,? Gerry said.
