DAVE Peñalosa bounced back from a career setback after a quick opening-round knockout of grizzled veteran Vergel Puton on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019, at The Flash Ballroom of the Elorde Sports Complex in Parañaque City.
The 28-year-old Peñalosa dropped Puton with a double right hook combination to the head. Puton beat the count but was still clearly hurt.
Peñalosa went in for the kill and unleashed a vicious combination to the head and body that forced the referee to stop the fight.
Peñalosa is back to the winning column after suffering his first career loss last July 12, 2019 in the hands of Lerato Dlamini. He is now 16-1 with 12 knockouts. Puton, who came off an upset win over Jules Victoriano, dropped to 18-14-2 with nine knockouts.
Meanwhile, former interim World Boxing Association bantamweight titleholder Reymart Gaballo (23-0, 20 KOs) stopped Thai Chaiwat Buatkrathok (32-3, 20 KOs) in the sixth round. (EKA)