Peñalosa Jr. included in undercard of Pacquiao-Marquez fight

Things are fast shaping up as far as the young career of Dodie Boy Peñalosa Jr. is concerned. The unbeaten super-bantamweight contender has been assured he'll be included in the undercard of the November 12 welterweight title showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez. Gerry Peñalosa, uncle of the 21-year-old Cebuano native, revealed this Monday during the formal launching of the young Peñalosa’s upcoming fight against Kong Kiatpracha Gym of Thailand this weekend at the Mandaue Sports Complex in Cebu. “Sa kabutihang palad, napangakuan po tayo na ma-include si Dodie Boy Jr. sa undercard ng Pacquiao-Marquez fight sa Nobyembre," said Gerry, the former two-time boxing champion, who is a close friend of the world’s top pound-for-pound boxer Pacquiao. But the elder Peñalosa said everything will depend on how the unbeaten 121-lb prospect performs against Kiatpracha in their August 6 bout. "Depende lahat yan sa magiging level of performance niya [Dodie Boy Jr.] this Saturday. Kailangan pagtrabahuhan niya yun," said Gerry. The match dubbed "Laban ng Lahi: Dugong Kampeon" will be aired by GMA-7 the following day (August 7) at 10:10 a.m., simulcast over Super Radyo dzBB. Rikki Escudero, Vice President RTV Operations and head, Expansion & Production Services, said the support of the Kapuso Network for the young Peñalosa will be a long-term commitment. "Hopefully, he remains undefeated. Although even the great Manny Pacquiao has experienced losing in some of his fights, but came back a better fighter after that. So we’re looking at Dodie Jr. the same way," said Escudero. The upcoming match also features former World Boxing Council (WBC) light flyweight champion Rodel Mayol, Jimrex Jaca, and Eden Sonsona. The younger Peñalosa has a perfect record of 5-0, all of the wins coming via knockout. Kiatpracha, meanwhile, sports a record of 5-8 and one draw at the age of 34 "Actually we haven’t seen him fight. Just based dun sa narinig namin, brawler siya. Yung ang gusto ni Dodie Jr. Ayaw niya ng takbuhin. Gusto niya palaban," said Dodie Sr. To make sure Kiatpracha will make a fight out of it, an incentive package has been included in the fight contract, stressing that once the ageing Thai fighter gets to last the distance, the agreed prize purse of his will be doubled, disclosed Gerry Peñalosa. Kiatpracha is set to receive $1,200 for the bout, but has a chance to make it $2,400 if and when he manages to survive the younger Penalosa. “May incentive package kaming nilagay na dodoblehin ang premyo niya kung makatagal siya ng eight rounds," said Gerry. Nilagay namin yung incentive para hindi isang suntok lang at tamaan yung Thai, aayaw na agad," added Gerry Peñalosa. — with Renee Fopalan/RSJ/OMG, GMA News