Peñalosa bows to overweight Russian foe in Dubai

Sports

CEBUANO boxer Dave Peñalosa suffered a technical knockout (TKO) loss in a title fight in Dubai, UAE on Friday, Dec. 12.

Peñalosa bowed to Russian Daud Alaev, who came in overweight for the World Boxing Association (WBA) Inter-continental title at the Duty Free Tennis Stadium.

For failing to make the weight, Alaev had to pay the Chao Sy Boxing Promotions, Peñalosa’s promotional outfit, $1,000 as a penalty for not making the weight.

Alaev was also asked to wear thicker gloves.

In an interview with Sports Ta Bai, Edcel Tonacao said the weight difference proved crucial in the fight.

Tonacao said Alaev was just too strong for Peñalosa.

Peñalosa had his moments in the fight but the bigger Alaev hardly felt the blows he received from the son of two-time world champion Dodie Boy Peñalosa.

Tonacao said Alaev started to impose his size advantage in the third round, bombarding Peñalosa with heavy hits.

After taking too much punishment, Peñalosa went down in the sixth round. He then decided to quit fighting at the start of the seventh round to absorb the TKO loss.

The loss was only Peñalosa’s second in 24 fights. He has 12 knockout wins.

Alaev improved to 14W-1L, 8KOs.

Alaev was not supposed to win the title for being overweight. However, the belt was still awarded to him after the fight–a matter that the camp of Peñalosa will be raising before the WBA.(CCM)