UNBEATEN prospect Dave Peñalosa is in for the fight of his life, a fight that should dedicate his future in the sport.
The 28-year-old Peñalosa is fighting for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver featherweight belt against No. 11 rated Lerato Dlamini on July 12 at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“I believe this is his toughest fight,” Peñalosa’s uncle and promoter Gerry Peñalosa told SunStar Cebu.
Both Peñalosa and Dlamini tipped the scale at 125 pounds.
Peñalosa feels that this fight could steal the limelight in the boxing show that’s headlined by a welterweight fight between former world champions Amir Khan and Billy Dib.
“I see this as the best fight of the night,” said Gerry. “Their fight will be a war. They are both evenly matched.”
Peñalosa’s last three opponents, all foreigners, didn’t get past the fourth round. Indonesian Ricky Manufoe (27-34-3) and Tanzanian Twalib Tuwa (21-5-2) in the second round, and Mexican Marcos Cardenas (19-6-1) in the fourth.
After a decision loss in his pro debut, Dlamini is on a tear winning 12 straight fights and grabbing three regional belts in the process.
Peñalosa has a perfect 15-0 slate with 11 knockouts, while Dlamini, who owns a win over former world champion Simpiwe Vetyeka, is 12-1 with six knockouts.
Gerry has high hopes that his nephew will become a future star in boxing and that he’ll do everything to turn that into a reality.
“I will help him out to become a world champion because he’s fully dedicated to boxing,” he said.
If Peñalosa wins, he’ll be given a shot at an interim world title by his uncle Gerry. (EKA)