By Carlos Costa
MANILA, Philippines — The Peñalosa fighting legend continues as its next generation climbs the ring on ESPN5 Saturday (Feb 16) at SM City North EDSA Skydome in Metro Manila, Philippines.
In the main event, “The Hunter” Dave Peñalosa (14-0, 10 KO’s), son of former 2-division world champion Dodie Boy Peñalosa, and his taller, more-experienced opponent Marcos Cárdenas (19-6-1, 15 KO’s) of México both scaled-in at 126 pounds for their tough battle for the vacant WBO Oriental Featherweight Belt, but it was not easy as both fighters initially came in heavy.
The Mexican had to shed one pound, while Dave Peñalosa had to sweat two full pounds to get inside the limit of the featherweight division; and they both successfully did it. Right now the rehydrate and eat, just waiting for Saturday’s first bell to sound to find out “who is the mas macho.
The winner will not only claim the WBO Oriental Belt, but also a berth in the WBO featherweight world rankings, and who will it be?
CASIMERO SQUARES OFF YAMASITA
In the co-main feature, former 2-division IBF world champion Johnriel Casimero (25-4, 16 KO’s) and tough-as-nails Japanese warrior Kenya Yamashita (山下賢哉) of Tokyo scaled-in at an identical weight of 118 pounds for their exciting 10-round duel.
Owner of a confusing, complicated fighting style, the 29-year-old Casimero presses his career forward after a knockout win last July in Tijuana, Mexico; and next in his line of fire is the younger, hard-hitting Yamashita (13-4, 10 KO’s), who has plans of his own.
Will the far more-experienced Casimero dominate the visiting Japanese warrior? Or will the 22 year-old fighter from the Land of the Rising Sun rock the Filipino former world-titlist for the first boxing surprise of 2019 in the Philippines?
“WONDER BOY” MARTIN RISKS DOUBLE WORLD-RANKINGS
In a battle of southpaws, “The Wonder Boy” WBO #10, WBA #14 Carl Jammes Martin (11-0, 10 KO’s) came-in at 118 pounds while former Muay Thai combatant Petchchorhae Kokiet Gym (aka Petchpraya Por Petchprayoon) of Thailand made 116 lbs for their in a 10-rounder clash in the bantamweight division.
The rumble is a golden chance for the Thailander Petchcorhae (17-2, 8 KO’s), a fighting man more tested than the 19 year-old “Wonder Boy” Martin who hails the world-heritage rice terraces mountains of Ifugao in Northern Luzon.
Will the Thai warrior — a former WBC Asian Silver champion — be able to use his strength and ring-savvy to dominate the youthful Martin?
Or will “The Wonder Boy” once more display his speed and devastating power to mercilessly ravage the visiting Thai to continue his climbing in the bantamweight world-rankings?
CARLO PEÑALOSA READY FOR ANOTHER THRILLING SCALPING
In flyweights, 25-year-old “Too Sharp” Carlo Caesar Peñalosa (13-1, 6 KO’s) weighed-in at 113 lbs to engage more-experienced Watana Phenbaan (18-5, 11 KO’s) of Roi-Et, Thailand in a ten-chapter saga.
Carlo Peñalosa is back in the ring after an electrifying round three demolition work of African combatant Jemsi Kibazange last September at SM EDSA Skydome; and now the 24-year-old Thailander Watana is his new target for scalping. Will “Too Sharp” be too sharp again?
MORE EXCITING FIGHTS FROM GERRYPENS
Also, Cebu-born Jheritz Chavez (8-3-2, 6 KO’s), fighting out of the Job Straight Boxing Gym in Laguna, and Highland Gym fighter Junar Adante of Cagwait, Surigao del Sur, both came in at 140 pounds as Chavez defends for the first time his Philippines Games & Amusement Board (GAB) Super Lightweight Title. The two 27-year-old men promise fans a 12-rounder of non-stop total action.
Plus, unbeaten “Demolition Man” Jenel Lausa (7-0-1, 4 KO’s) of Iloilo tipped the scales at 131 pounds, while veteran Rolly Llino, 29, of Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur recorded 133 lbs., ahead of their six-stanza symphony of leather.
Lausa fights out of the Tiger City Boxing Gym in Mandaluyong City, while Llino is a fighter of the Amoncio Boxing Gym in Taguig.
In the card’s opening bout, 20-year-old John Mark Tihuk (1-0, 1 KO) of the Gerry Peñalosa Boxing Gym in Quezon City, Metro Manila, and journeyman Ruben Traza (4-12-4, 1 KO) of the Empire Boxing Gym in Subic Bay both made the limit of the super flyweight division of 115 pounds.
Their exchanges of fire against is a 6-rounder that promises total action, and you can not miss it 👍
Supervisor for the WBO is Leon Panoncillo, while supervisor for the GAB is Chairman Baham Mitra with the assistance of GAB Boxing Chief Dioscoro B. Bautista, and GAB officials Tony Comia, Oliver Evangelista, Juanito de Guzman and Eduardo Coronel. GAB Ring physician is Dr. Jose Rolando Rivera.
This exciting action boxing show is a production of former 2-division world champion turned successful fight promoter Gerry Peñalosa, director of GerryPens Promotions, in association with SM North EDSA Skydome, Smart Communications, and the support of Lloyd Dennis Manaloto, VP & Head of ESPN5 Philippines and E-Sports.
Follow the live action on ESPN5 Philippines, and LIVE STREAM on ESPN5.com
Broadcast starts at 8:30 PM Manila Time.
The author Carlos Costa is a Panama-born fight reporter, living in Cebu. Carlos can be reached by email carlos512@hotmail.com or by whatsapp 09184538152.
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