Pinoy pugs make impressive debuts

LAS VEGAS – Filipino super-featherweight Ernie Sanchez and feather Dodie Boy Peñalosa Jr. looked impressive in their US debuts Saturday evening at the MGM. 

Michael Fareñas also looked impressive despite his failure to snatch the WBA Interim super-featherweight title from the heavily-favored Yuriorkis Gamboa of Cuba.

Fareñas went down in the second and seventh rounds but managed to put up a fight, also flooring Gamboa in the ninth. He lost by unanimous decision.

Mercito Gesta, who looked good in his previous fights, was overwhelmed by Mexico’s Miguel Angel Vasquez in their fight for the IBF lightweight title.

Gesta hardly did anything to win the fight and lost by a wide margin.

Sanchez, who hails from General Santos City, floored Coy Evans of Philadelphia in the third round en route to a unanimous decision.

Sanchez raised his young ring record to 14-3 with five knockouts while Evans, who had something going in the middle rounds, slipped to 10-2-1.

Sanchez wore bruises on his face after the fight but was so happy with the victory. He thanked Manny Pacquiao for giving him the chance to fight here.

“If not for Manny Pacquiao I wouldn’t be here. He saw me fight once in General Santos City and he took me in. I hope I made him happy with this victory,” he said.

Peñalosa, who comes from a famous boxing clan back home, needed lesser time to dispose of his opponent, Jesus Lule Raya of Ft. Myers in Florida.

Peñalosa caught Raya with a short left to the body and a perfect cross to the face in the 1:12 minute of the second round. Raya fell and didn’t manage to beat the count.

“I’m happy with the win,” said Peñalosa, son of former world champion Dodie Boy Peñalosa who is the brother of another world champion, Gerry Peñalosa.

“I also thank Manny Pacquiao for the opportunity,” said Peñalosa, adding that there was some pressure to deliver fighting under the bright lights of Vegas.

Peñalosa, of Cebu City, stayed unbeaten in 10 professional fights and scored his 10th knockout while Raya is nearing the .500 mark with his 6-5 record.