By Adrian Stewart Co

Carlo Caesar Peñalosa of San Carlos City will be fighting for the International Boxing Organization (IBO) world flyweight championship this Sunday, August 25, against Mexican boxer Maximino Flores at the TV5 Studio in Quezon City. The fight is the Negrense boxer’s first opportunity at a world title belt after previously winning the World Boxing Council-Asian Boxing Council flyweight belt.
“This fight is the biggest challenge of my life,” the Negrense boxer said. “This is a world championship—it’s the biggest test in my boxing career and it is also my first time to face a Mexican boxer.”
The 26-year-old fighter is coming off a seven-bout win streak after his February 2017 split decision loss to Reymark Taday.
For Flores, the Mexican fighter said he hopes to put on a good show for the Filipino fans.
“I am physically and mentally prepared; it doesn’t matter what the judges will say—it is up to them,” he explained. “Even if [Peñalosa] wins, as long as I win the hearts of the fans, it is OK with me.”
The San Carlos City boxer will be entering the ring with a 14-1-0 win-loss-draw record, including seven stoppage wins; while Flores has a 24-4-1 boxing slate, with 17 knockout wins.
The IBO world flyweight belt was previously held by South African boxer Moruti Mthalane, who failed to defend the title./ASC, WDJ