by Ronnie Nathanielsz

The unbeaten Penalosa brothers, Dodie Boy Jr and Dave have promised “war” when they climb into the ring against touted opponents at the Mandaluyong City Gym on Saturday in an interesting cared promoted by former two division world  champion Gerry Penalosa.

Dodie Boy Jr, a southpaw with a record 11 knockouts in 12 wins will face Indonesian Dicky Amtiran who, according to a Jakarta boxing website has a record of 8 knockouts in 9 wins with 3 defeats and won the  Indonesian Professional Boxing Association super flyweight title with a unanimous decision  over  Willem Marahina on September 18, 2011.

At the official weigh-in in nthe Games and Amusement Board offices, Dodie Boy Jr tipped the scales at 122 pounds while Amtiran was one pound heavier at 123 for their ten round main event.

Younger brother Dave who is also a southpaw with a record of 8-0 with 5 knockouts came in at 121 pounds while his opponent Danilo Gabisay was one pound less at 120.

In a fight that promises to be an explosive battle between two hard-hitting veterans, former two-time world title challenger Bernabe Concepcion (32-6-1, 19 KO’s) takes on former world-rated southpaw Eden Sonsona  (32-6-1, 10 KO’s) . Both fighters tipped the scales at 122 pounds.

Concepcion in a conversation with reporter Mark Israel predicted there will be  “smashed and bloody faces” in a fight he said would be “entertaining.”

Concepcion said he had trained “long and hard because I want to win and put on a good show because Sonsona is also good.”  The stylish Concepcion said the key would be for him “to punch hard. We’ll see whether we can go for a knockout.”

Sonsona who trained at the Elorde Gym on Sucat Road, Paranaque and sparred with the grandsons of the late, great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, Mig and “Bai”  Elorde said  he had prepared for some three months and concentrated on his ability “to take body shots” since Concepcion is a known body puncher.

Sonsona claimed his style has improved and he plans “to work hard in the ring and win.”

Dave Penalosa promised fans they will “see a faster Dave with more combinations. He said he had watched fight tapes of Gabisay and noted “he is also fast. Moves well and throws combinations. It will be a war and a fight worth watching.”