On June 25, Saturday, it will be a Peñalosa headlining a spectacular boxing event promoted by another Peñalosa. The venue will be the historic New Cebu Coliseum along Sanciangko St., downtown Cebu.

In the main event, Dodie Boy Peñalosa, Jr. (4-0-0, 4KOs) will fight in an 8-round scheduled bout for the very first time in his 5th professional ring appearance opposite a legitimate 10-rounder in the person of Manila-based Jeffrey Jimenez (5-8-2, 3KOs) of Casablanca Gym. An 8-round fight for a 4-fight pro is usually a taboo in boxing. But Dodie Jr.’s father, coach and manager, Dodie Boy Peñalosa, Sr., believes his son is ready for this quick jump.

A two-time National Amateur Champion with a record of 27-0, 10 KOs, Dodie Jr. abandoned the amateur ranks along with the opportunity to win the Philippines’ very first Olympic Gold Medal in London next year to pursue his boxing career as a professional. Unknown to many, his pro debut was scheduled for 6 rounds, instead of the usual 4 rounder. He knocked out all his 4 previous opponents and 3 of them were over in the opening round. However, Dodie, Sr. is sure this fight is a huge step up in competition for his son. So he never stops reminding his young descendant not to take this fight lightly and advises him to maintain his hunger in the ring. A defeat by Dodie, Jr. will derail his bright future in the sweet science.

The young Dodie Jr. is a third generation product of the Peñalosa boxing family which originated from the sugarcane-rich city of San Carlos, Negros Occidental. Being a place just a short ferry-boat trip away from Toledo City in Cebu, most of San Carlos residents are Cebuano-speaking unlike the predominantly Ilonggo-speaking citizens of Negros Occidental. His grandfather Carl was the former Philippine Lightweight Champion and world contender while his father and uncle are both 2-time world champions. He was even called a “gifted simonpure” by renowned sports columnist, Recah Trinidad in one of his previous write-ups published in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

In the supporting main event, undefeated Marvin Mabait (12-0-2, 7 KOs), the Mindanao Professional Boxing Federation (MinProBa) Bantamweight (118 lbs.) Champion will figure in a 10-round contest against grizzled veteran Aljun Salogaol (11-15-2, 5 KOs) of Cebu’s Omega Boxing Gym.

Mabait is currently ranked No. 3 in the latest Games and Amusements Board (GAB) ratings in the Superflyweight (115 lbs.) division. Mabait’s career is steered by Zamboanga City Congressman Erico Basilio “Erbie” Fabian. Congressman Erbie informed this author that should Mabait wins impressively in his fight against Salogaol on saturday, the sport-loving legislator is willing to put Mabait as a headliner in huge boxing card in Zamboanga City as part of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival sometime in October this year, hopefully for the Philippine Superfyweight Championship.

Gerrypens Promotions, Inc. headed by 2-time world champion, Gerry “Fearless” Peñalosa is the promoter of this 6-bout fight card.

Four exciting 4 round bouts will open the show. The first punch will be thrown at 4:00 pm.

The boxing promotion was made possible with the help of Saranggani Congressman Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, Kasuke Washio, Zamboanga City Congressman Erico Basilio “Erbie” Fabian, Family Rubbing Alcohol in cooperation with the City Government of Cebu headed by Mayor Michael Rama and GMA TV Network.

It will be shown on television by GMA NEWS TV 11 on July 3 at 10 am, in the channel’s regular weekly program, ALL SPORTS hosted by the No. 1 Philippine Sports Journalist, Chino Trinidad.