Dave Peñalosa Claims WBO Oriental Strap; Casimero, Martin, Carlo Peñalosa Impressive

By Carlos Costa

MANILA, Philippines — Unbeaten Dave Peñalosa, former 2-division world champion Jhonriel Casimero, world-ranked Carl Jammes Martin, and flyweight Carlo Peñalosa all punished and stopped their respective foes in an exciting knockout-filled GerryPens Promotion Saturday (Feb 16) at SM North EDSA Metro Manila on ESPN5 Philippines.

In the main event, Dave Peñalosa (15-0, 11 KO’s) dropped and overpowered tough Mexican warrior Marcos Cardenas (19-7-1, 15 KO’s) over four rounds of back-and-forth action to capture the vacant WBO Oriental Featherweight, and a berth in the world-rankings.

Even after being forced to shed two pounds during the weigh-in ceremony the day before, the promising Dave Peñalosa, 28, displayed abundant energy and power in dealing with his taller, aggressive Mexican opponent, rocking him down to the blue canvas three times during the thrilling action of round four en route to a scintillating TKO win. Official time was 2:47 in round 4.

CARLO PEÑALOSA CONTINUES “TOO SHARP”

In the co- feature, “Too Sharp” Carlo Peñalosa (14-1, 7 KO’s) delivered a perfectly timed right hook to the mid-section of Thai fighter Watana Phenbaan, leaving him laying on his back in agonizing pain in the middle of the ring. Referee Sammy Bernabe of Cavite deliver the 10-seconds count with Watana on the floor without air unable to get up. Time of stoppage was 2:22 in the third chapter.

CASIMERO, MARTIN CONTINUE THE KNOCKOUT FESTIVAL

Too skilled and destructive was former two-division world champion Jhonriel Casimero (26-4, 17 KO’s) in ravaging strong Japanese boxer Kenya Yamashita (13-5, 10 KO’s), stopping him in the sixth stanza when a totally weakened Yamashita, heavily bleeding from the nose succumbed.

Heavily-tattooed Former World Champion Casimero Drills Yamashita

Casimero looked superb in his first fight as a bantamweight, displaying a power right hand, which was his main weapon in Saturday night’s non-title victory. The stoppage became official at the 47 seconds mark in round 6.

“WONDER BOY” CARL JAMMES MARTIN DOES WONDERS AGAIN

Earlier on in the evening, world-rated bantamweight “Wonder Boy” Carl Jammes Martin (12-0, 11 KO’s), continued his streak of impressive wins by twice knocking down and subsequently stopping in three rounds brave Thai warrior Petchchorhae Kokietgym (17-3, 8 KO’s) whose corner did not allow him to come out for unnecessary punishment.

The “Wonder Boy” continues on winning path

With the exciting victory, the 19 year-old Martin — trained his father Abel Martin — pushes his career forward in the 118 pound weight class.

RESULTS OF SIX-ROUNDERS

In a bout lacking excitement, undefeated super featherweight Janel Lausa (8-0-1, 4 KO’s) of the Peñalosa Boxing Stable scored a split decision win over unheralded Rolly Llin (5-16-1, 2 KO’s) of Butuan.

The first clash of the evening saw 20-year-old John Mark Tihuk (2-0-1, 1 KO) of Antipolo, Rizal, getting a unanimous decision triumph over 36-year-old veteran Ruben Traza (4-12-4, 1 KO) of Bacolod.

The entertaining evening of boxing at SM North EDSA Skydome in Metro Manila, Philippines, was a production of former 2-division world-champion Gerry Penalosa, director of GerryPens Promotions with the assistance of Cathrina Gayos.

The author Carlos Costa is a Panama-born fight reporter living in Cebu, Philippines Carlos can be reached by email carlos512@hotmail.com or whatsapp/viber: +63918438152.