In Jonathan’s memory

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May 1, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Former WBA flyweight title challenger and boxing coach Jonathan Peñalosa passed away at 9:30 p.m. last Monday, succumbing to colon cancer a week before he would’ve turned 58. But while Peñalosa will be missed by loved ones and friends, his memory will live on through the exploits of the fighters whom he has inspired to bring honor to the country and secure a better tomorrow for their families.

One of his fighters, newly-crowned Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight champion Kenneth Llover, wears fighting shorts with Peñalosa’s name stitched at the hem. Llover, 22, boasts a 14-0 record, with nine KOs and has won his last two fights by a first round stoppage, both in Japan. He is now ranked No. 11 by IBF and No. 15 by WBC.

“Jonathan was with Kenneth in Japan last December fighting (Tulio Dekanarudo) for the interim OPBF title and would’ve been with him for the OPBF championship fight (against Keita Kurihara) in Japan last March,” said Peñalosa’s brother Gerry who is Llover’s manager. “Jonathan already had his plane ticket but the doctor didn’t allow him to travel because of his condition as that was when he was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer.”

Gerry said he’s not rushing Llover into a world title shot. “Kenneth still needs improvement to compete at the world-class level but he is for real,” he noted. “Negotiations are ongoing for his next fight which could be in Manila in July. Kenneth’s coach is now Dindo Campo who was Jonathan’s assistant.”

Before Peñalosa died, Gerry visited him at the Riverside Medical Center in Bacolod. “I told him I need him to take care of Kenneth and Ken Danila, stand up and fight,” said Gerry, hoping to boost his brother’s spirits. “I whispered to him I love you and you will always be important to us.” Danila, 20, is a lightweight contender with a 5-0 record, including four KOs, all in the first round. Peñalosa is survived by his wife Marites, four children and five grandchildren.