By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Efforts are underway to try and convince former two-division world boxing champion Dodie Boy Penalosa to keep his promising son – Dodie Boy Penalosa Jr – from turning pro in his debut set for tomorrow at the Mandaluyong Gym.
The newly elected president of the Philippine Amateur Boxing Association Ricky Vargas has requested that Penalosa’s bout against John Henric Dones who is also making his pro debut be turned into an exhibition bout or an amateur contest so Penalosa won’t lose his amateur status and would be eligible to become a member of the national boxing team.
Initial reports indicate that Penalosa Jr is a truly promising youngster and a two-time national champion and a potential medalist at the London Olympic Games in 2012.
Insidesports.ph and Viva Sports also learned that the Penalosa-Dones bout would give ABAP officials a chance to assess the potential of the 18 year old Penalosa and if they are impressed work out an agreement with the Penalosa’s to keep him within the amateur ranks.
However, if the father of Penalosa and his uncle, WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa, are not satisfied with the ABAP agreement he would immediately turn pro.
