He bears a surname that is an institution in Philippine boxing. His grandfather, Carl is a former Philippine lightweight and jr.welterweight champ during the 1960's. His uncle Jonathan was a former WBC international flyweight king (1990) and currently a boxing trainer while another uncle, Gerry, won two world titles WBC superflyweight (1997-98) and WBO bantamweight (2007-2009).
His father, Dodie, despite having one shorter leg due to childhood polio, was the first Filipino boxer to win two world titles at two different weights IBF It. flyweight (1983-85) and IBF flyweight (1987).
The family tree is enough to put pressure on the 19 year old Dodie Boy Peñalosa, Jr. when he makes his six round professional debut in the undercard of Brian Viloria's second title defense against Carlos Tamara of Colombia on January 23 at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
He is currently trained and managed by his father but they are still clueless who the opponent will be.
Dodie, Jr. is a southpaw and will be fighting at 122 lbs. but the elder Peñalosa plans to have his son campaign at 118 in subsequent fights. He has been boxing as an amateur for four years and has won the gold twice in national tournament. His name was mentioned in the sports pages last year because he was being recruited to join the national team. He was hyped as having the genetic predisposition to win Olympic gold. But after a couple of months he got homesick and preferred to be close to his family while subsequently planning to turn pro.
Dodie Jr., is the eldest of three siblings and a second year mechanical engineering student at Southwestern University. He hopes to continue his studies if the school allows him to take fewer units per semester. He is currently only 4 lbs. over the superbantamweight limit.
Boxing icon Manny Pacquiao was reportedly impressed with the younger Peñalosa and offered to bring him to the US but Dodie, Sr. does not want to rush things and plans to observe his son's progress one fight at a time.
Growing up in a boxing family guarantees solid basics. It also carries the weight of high expectations. But one thing for sure, another Peñalosa in the ring will make the local boxing scene very interesting in 2010.
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