Peñalosas crush Indon foes

TAGBILARAN CITY – Dave Peñalosa delivered a barrage of body punches before unleashing a solid left hook to knock out Ricky Manufoe of Indonesia in the second round of their scheduled 10-round non-title featherweight showdown Saturday at the Bohol Wisdom Gym here.

Dave, a member of the second generation of Peñalosa boxing clan, was impressive right from the opening bell that left the Manufoe groping for form in the main event of an explosive boxing card organized by former champion Gerry Peñalosa.

He decked Manufoe twice before unloading a booming left that sent the Indon sprawling to the canvass in the final 2:30 of the second round that formally gave Dave his ninth knockout victory in 13 career fights.

Dave’s victory left his uncle, Gerry, greatly impressed.

“The future looks bright for this kid,” said Gerry, whose promotion outfit organized the “Rumble in Bohol” in a bid to unearth new Filipino boxing heroes.

“I really want to give him a very good fight so I’m matching him with very good boxers here in the country. I think he will go far. I won’t be surprised if ends up fighting for world title.”

On the contrary, Dave’s cousin, Carlo Peñalosa, needed extra effort to dispose Iwan Keys of Indonesia as he emerged victorious via technical knockout after he threw the white towel in the 1:20 mark of the fifth round of their eight-round non title flyweight match.

Gerry said with the impressive showing of his nephews, he is encouraged to arrange another promotion around September, this time in Cebu or Davao.

“We want to preserve the ‘Peñalosa brand of boxing,’” he said, adding that he want to leave a legacy following a colorful career with his older brother, Dodie Boy Penalosa Sr.

“So as much as possible, we want to expose these kids against good competitors.”