All in the family

Two-time world boxing champion Dodie Boy Peñalosa Sr. and Dodie Boy Jr. aren’t the only father-and-son combination to ply their trade in the ring. In fact, Dodie Boy Sr.’s father Carl was a fighter himself and brother Gerry was a two-time world titlist, too. Another brother Jonathan fought for a world title but fell short of completing a sibling hat-trick. The Peñalosa family has to be one for the books with three generations of fighters.

Throughout boxing history, there have been many other father-and-son fighters. Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. and son Julio Cesar Jr. are a prime example. They’re a rare combination in that both father and son are in the record books as world champions. Julio Cesar Jr. still reigns today. Other father-and-son tandems to bag world titles include Floyd Patterson and adopted son Tracy Harris Patterson, Leon and Cory Spinks, Wilfredo Vazquez Sr. and Wilfredo Jr. and Guty Espadas Sr. and Guty Jr.

Of Flash Elorde’s three sons, only Johnny tried his luck in the ring but strictly as an amateur. Gabriel Jr. or Bebot and Marty ended up managing fighters and gyms like Johnny who was a Southeast Asian Games gold medalist. Johnny’s son Bai and Mig are now pro fighters.

Floyd Mayweather Sr. was a fringe welterweight contender and never won a world crown unlike his brother Roger who now trains Floyd Jr. The father used to train his son and Oscar de la Hoya. Floyd Sr. lost to world champions Sugar Ray Leonard and Freddie Roach protégé Marlon Starling. His career came to a halt when he was imprisoned for 10 years on a drug conviction. How ironic that Floyd Sr. and Floyd Jr. are accusing Manny Pacquiao of taking performance enhancing drugs. Are the Mayweathers off their rockers or what?

Smokin’ Joe Frazier’s son Marvis and daughter Jacqui were once pro fighters but never gained their father’s fame or fortune. Smokin’ Joe was an Olympic gold medalist in 1964 and figured in three classic duels with Muhammad Ali. In 1983, Marvis took on Larry Holmes for the heavyweight crown and was knocked out in one round. Marvis later faced Mike Tyson and also lost on a first round stoppage. The son never broke out of his father’s shadow. Jacqui was matched against Ali’s daughter Laila in a much-ballyhooed fight and lost an eight-round majority decision. Jacqui was a college basketball star and became a lawyer.

Flamboyant Hector (Macho) Camacho Sr. and son Hector Jr. fought on the same card in Miami in 2001 but they were worlds apart in terms of talent. The father won multiple world titles while the son was content to pad his record with inconsequential victories over bums.

Ring historians point out that Patterson and adopted son Tracy were the first father-and-son duo to capture world titles. Patterson was a two-time heavyweight titleholder who lost the crown to Ingemar Johansson and regained it from the Swede in a rematch. In 1962, he eventually yielded the throne to Sonny Liston. In 1992, his adopted son Tracy halted Thierry Jacob in the second round to claim the WBC superbantamweight diadem. Three years later, Tracy added another feather in his cap, annexing the IBF superfeatherweight crown via a second round disposal of Ed Hopson.

Dodie Boy Sr. and Gerry aren’t the only brothers who were world champions. Leon and Michael Spinks, Gabriel and Rafael Ruelas, Khaosai and Khaokor Galaxy, twins Chana and Songkram Porpaoin, Donald and Bruce Curry and Juan Manuel and Rafael Marquez were among other brothers to capture world titles. Reigning heavyweight titlists Vitaly and Wladimir Klitschko are brothers, too.

In many cases, boxing is a family affair – it runs in the blood.

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PBA Governors Cup champion Petron has signed up a new outfitter and will wear the brand 3XVI (three sixteen) this coming season. Sporteum is behind the new sports apparel line whose tag was derived from one of the quotable passages in the Holy Bible. The quotation is from St. John 3:16, saying “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Incidentally, former B-Meg head coach Jorge Gallent has joined the Petron staff under Ato Agustin. Former B-Meg assistant coach Art de la Cruz returns to newly redesignated Ginebra head coach Siot Tanquingcen’s staff. B-Meg assistant coaches Richard del Rosario and Koy Banal retain their positions and are now working with newly hired head coach Tim Cone who has brought former Alaska cagers Johnny Abarrientos (formerly with the Ginebra staff) and Jeff Cariaso into the Derby Ace fold.

Del Rosario said ex-Rain Or Shine forward John Ferriols has been enlisted by B-Meg while Romel Adducul is reportedly working out with Powerade. Guard Jonas Villanueva won’t be available until the second conference to recover from his ACL surgery but Kerby Raymundo, Rico Maierhofer, Rafi Reavis and Marc Pingris will be healthy for action in the Philippine Cup.