Dodie Jr guns for 9th straight win tonight

Dodie Boy Penalosa Jr., the newest pride of the Peñalosa boxing clan, guns for his eighth straight win tonight when he battles Indonesian journeyman Alex Buckie in the main event of the “Dugong Kampeon V” card at the Mandaue Sports and Cultural Complex.

But the mounting pressure of needing to win impressively in front of his Cebuano boxing fans to secure a slot in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Bradley fight on June 9 could prove to be the unbeaten Penalosa’s biggest obstacle.

At yesterday’s official weigh-in, Dodie Boy Jr. came in at a perfect 122lbs while Buckie tipped the scales a pound lighter at 119lbs to pave the way to their 10-round, non-title tussle.

“I am 100 percent ready. I don’t want to predict a knock-out in this fight because I am facing a veteran opponent but I will do my best to win in an impressive way and I think the bout will not reach 10 rounds,” said Dodie Boy Jr. after yesterday’s official weigh-in held at the Games and Amusements Board office.

“I heard that he (Buckie) is a brawler, that’s why I told my son to be cautious and not to rush things,” said Dodie Boy Penalosa Sr. the father of Dodie Boy Jr. “I will try to read his style in the first three rounds before I can formulate a plan on how my son will take down the Indonesian.”

Buckie will be Peñalosa’s third foreign foe after Thais Superjames Singmanasak and Kongfah Kiatpracha who were both destroyed by the rising Cebuano boxer.

Buckie for his part, said that he will test Peñalosa’s skills inside the ring. “You will all see on fight night, I will give my best to match him (Peñalosa),” he said.

Meanwhile, Philippine featherweight champion Michael Farenas will face battle-tested Jason Egera, also in a 10 round non-title bout in the card’s main supporting event.

Farenas weighed in at 127lbs while Egera came in at 128lbs.

Dodie Boy Jr.’s brother Dave Peñalosa weighed in at 120lbs while his opponent Jomar Torreon is one pound heavier. They will fight in the undercard.

The card opens at 6 p.m. and will be telecast on Sunday over GMA 7.