Peñalosa, Sonsona banner Pinoy KO Series

MANILA, Philippines - No less than a knockout will impress the fans when Dave Peñalosa and Eden Sonsona put their names at stake against Thai opponents tomorrow evening at the Mandaluyong City Gym.

The two explosive matches will highlight this month’s edition of Sports5’s Pinoy Knockout Series. The card, to be aired over AKTV on IBC 13 on a delayed basis, is in partnership with Gerry Pens Promotions.

“This will be worth watching,” said former two-division world champion Gerry Peñalosa during yesterday’s packed press launch featuring the boxers for the main bouts.

“I asked the matchmakers to bring in boxers who come to fight. ‘Yung palaban,” said the former WBC super-flyweight and WBO bantamweight champion, who is Dave’s uncle.

Another Peñalosa quietly stayed on the sidelines during the press conference. He is Dodie Boy Peñalosa, also a former two-division world champion, and Dave’s father.

Dave, 21, will carry a ring record of 4-0 with two knockouts when he takes on Yodpichai Sithsaithong (7-5-0) in a six-round bout in the super-bantamweight class.

He sat beside his uncle at the presidential table and was pretty much aware of his father’s presence as he fielded questions from the media.

“There’s pressure because I’m a Peñalosa. The expectations are high. I will do my best although I admit it may be difficult for me to match what my uncle and my father have done,” said Dave.

His opponent doesn’t speak English, but through an interpreter said he trained for a month for this fight and is 99 percent ready.

“I’m glad to be here,” said the Thai, making his second fight in the Philippines following a fourth-round knockout loss to Marlon Tapales in Lanao del Norte last year.

Sonsona, cousin of the former WBO super-flyweight champion Marvin “Marvelous” Sonsona, will take on Thai super-bantamweight Petchnamnung Sithsaithong.

Petchnamnung, who came to the press con like he had just gotten out of bed, said he’s “100 percent” ready and vowed to stop Sonsona inside five rounds.

“Tingnan natin (Let’s see),” said Sonsona, whose 28-6 record is spiked with victories at the MGM Grand in 2009 and at the Cowboys Stadium in 2010 as undercard to Manny Pacquiao.

Sonsona, 23, said he’s out to revive his career.

“Nagloko ako dati pero ngayon aayusin ko na (I fooled around in the past but I’m here to fix myselt),” he said.