By Carlos Costa

Two-division world champion “Fearless” Gerry Peñalosa, fast becoming one of the most successful boxing promoters in his native Philippines, launches his new project in search of the next generation of Filipino boxing stars, Ultimate Boxing Series UBS.    

In partnership with ESPN5 Philippines, the former super flyweight and bantamweight champion of the world assembles for competition a group of young and talented Filipino pro boxers who will live, share their lives and compete for the UBS Ultimate Boxing Series Trophy.

“It’s similar to The Contender reality TV show years ago,” says Peñalosa.   “Our goal is that those young promising boxers develop their boxing skills, grow in confidence, get huge exposure and fight for their dreams, while, at the same time, boxing fans get to know them closely. 

“Raw diamonds need to be polished and need to be seen, right?”

For UBS competitions, a group of young talented fighters has already been selected from all over the Philippines by the experienced eye of Gerry Peñalosa.   

They are from the two divisions that Filipinos love for their lightning speed and strength, flyweights and bantamweights.   There are divisions where Filipino boxing stars as Peñalosa and Pacquiao competed years ago.

“These kids are new in pro boxing.  But they are not new to boxing as all of them come from extensive and outstanding amateur careers.”

“To get to know them, I have traveled all over the country.    I went in search of those fighting kids.   I have visited boxing gyms and have interviewed them and talk to their coaches and his teammates.  

“In the end, I found them.   I am pretty sure that we have got an outstanding group of young Jake LaMottas, young Sugar Ray Leonards that will do their best and will not disappoint fans.   I have faith in each one of them and in the future of Filipino boxing.    

“From my heart, I do UBS for them and for our sport of boxing,” shared Peñalosa, a man who during his fighting years was one heck of a tactical fighter.

“Boxers will arrive in Manila (Philippine’s capital) on May 16for the official launch of the event with a press conference.    The first show is on Thursday, May 23.   Winners will advance.    

“There will be intense, thrilling shows.

“ESPN5 Philippines will film videos, bouts, make interviews, and will air UBS weekly, totaling 13 episodes starting June 2 at 12 noonwith the big finals shown LIVE on August 25.

“During the time of the tournament, boxers get housed, cared for and get the facilities needed for them to train and be ready.   Experienced coaches will look after them, and the boxers will get to know each other.

“An ESPN5 production crew will be with the boxers during trainings and their daily life at the camp, and I pray that UBS will be an unforgettable and rewarding experience for all involved in this project, especially for the young boxers” added the enthusiastic promoter.

Some of the young boxers competing in GerryPens UBS are unbeaten bantamweight Denmark Quibido (8-0-1, 5 KO’s) of the ATA Boxing Gym.  Also competing in USBS is Gold medalist in the national games flyweight April Jay Abne of Cebu’s Wild Boxing Gym, unbeaten bantamweight 4-0 Lienard Sarcon of the Manny Pacquiao Davao Boxing Gym, undefeated 4-0 Cebuano 118-pounder Lenjun Letuerto of the Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Boxing Stable.

Moreover, the promising crop for GerryPens UBS includes 19-year-old unbeaten flyweight Ruben Dadivas (5-0, 3 KO’s) of the Manny Pacquiao Davao Boxing Gym, 20-year-old bantamweight John Mark Tihug (2-0-1, 1 KO) of the Peñalosa Boxing Gym, 19-year-old bantamweight Gary Tamayo (2-0, 2 KO’s) of the Alchemist Gym.

Fans will also see in UBS action unbeaten 19-year-old flyweight Joseph Bayubay (3-0-2, 2 KO’s) of the Alchemist Stable, unbeaten 112-pounder Ronel de la Cruz (6-0, 4 KO’s) of the Kaamino Gym, undefeated General Santos City bantamweight Dave Barlas (4-0-1, 3 KO’s) of the Bigwas Heneral Boxing Camp, 20-year-old bantamweight Aljum Pelesio (7-0, 5 KO’s) of the Luis Marty Elorde Boxing Stable, 118-pounder Ken Jordan (7-1-1, 6 KO’s) of the MP Highland Boxing Team.         

Plus, flyweights Ronel Sumalpong (6-1-1, 5 KO’s) of the Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Gym, Cristoval Furong (6-1, 2 KO’s) of Sultan Kudarat, and “Wolverine” Welben Montere (2-0-1, 1 KO) of the Don Punch Boxing Gym, among other UBS competitors.  

In conclusion, the young boxers competing sound really good, then, the promoter, a veteran, caring and experienced man of boxing former world champion sound good too, and ESPN5 knowing how to produce exciting shows sound good too.   Ultimate Boxing Series (UBS) in the Philippines might bring to light young men who will continue the Filipino tradition of producing exciting boxers.

A final word about the UBS promoter:  In his prime as a boxer, Gerry Peñalosa was not a physical brawler, but a fighter of heart and exquisite tactical skills which he used to stop bigger stronger men, such as the then fearsome Mexican world champion Johnny Gonzalez and others.   

A devout Catholic, Gerry retired from boxing to dedicate time to his family.   Now venturing as a developer of boxing talent in his native Philippines, we all wish good luck to you, Gerry Peñalosa.

The author Carlos Costa is a Panama boxing reporter living in the Philippines.   Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.comand whatsapp/viber/wechat:  +639184538152.