DAVE WANTS TO CARRY ON WITH THE PEÑALOSA FAMILY TRADITION
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 30 Sep 2018
QUEZON CITY ? It's in the blood. That's the main reason why Dave Pe?alosa, a third generation son of the Pe?alosa fighting clan, is coming back from 'retirement' to pursue his dream of becoming a world champion, just like his famous dad Dodie Boy and uncle Gerry who were both two-time world champions.
?It's because of our family [tradition],? Dave told the media Saturday on why he's climbing the squared ring again. And his dream to become a world champion is the itch that continually push him to pick up the gloves and sweat it out everyday during training.
Dave, together with his younger brother Dodie Boy Jr made the headlines when they made their professional debuts in 2010 and 2011 respectively and made headlines by wining in entertaining fights that also won them fans and a growing following. But in 2016, with both still undefeated (Dave with 12 wins 8 knockouts and Dodie Boy with 19 wins, 15 knockouts), they disappeared on the boxing scene.
?I am very happy that Dave and Dodie Boy are no longer fighting,? the two boxers' mother Marie Ann told this writer in April 2017 in Osaka, Japan when Marlon Tapales lost his title on scales against Shohei Omori, a fight both Marie Ann and myself both attended. Marie Ann was brought to Japan by Tapales's manager Rex 'Wakee' Salud to help Tapales as a nurse.
Marie Ann only wished his two sons to lead regular lives and confessed that every time any of his sons fight she would just hide herself in her room or in comfort rooms at event venues to pray. She had not watched any of his sons' fights live.
Family tradition. Two time world champion Dodie Boy Pe?alosa (L) father of Dave (second from right) and Gerry (C) who promotes this fight, with Twalib Tuwa, Dave's Tanzanian opponent during Saturday's weighin at ESPN 5 headquarters in Mandaluyong.
But it looks like the mother cannot just stop the desire of his eldest son to keep on fighting. Dave returned to action last July in Bohol where he stopped hapless Indonesian foe Ricky Manufoe in two rounds. Today he will take on Tanzania's Twalib Tuwa (21-5-2, 14KOs) in a 10 round featherweight contest at SM Cith North EDSA's Skydome in Quezon City.
His uncle Gerry, who promotes this event with his Gerrypens Promotions in partnership with ESPN 5, told this writer earlier that he'd be happy either way which decisions his nephews would take. ?But if they decide to fight on, I'll help them,? Gerry said. ?It's really up to them.?
During Saturday's presscon held at ESPN 5 headquarters in Mandaluyong, Gerry said he's hoping to give Dave a regional title fight in his next fight and he hopes Dave could fight for a world title next year.
Dave himself felt he's coming back into the groove and is looking forward to get the big fights in the future. ?In my July fight, I had a difficult time making weight but for this fight, it's easier,? Dave concluded, in whose hands, by his own choice, now carry the responsibility of perpetuating the Pe?alosa family tradition.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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