FORMER world title challenger Jonathan Penalosa died on Monday night after suffering from stage four colon cancer.
He was 57.
Two-time world champion Gerry Penalosa confirmed the passing away of his older brother, who also served as among the trainers of legendary Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao.
READ: Pacquiao visits ailing former trainer Jonathan Penalosa
Penalosa died exactly a week after Pacquiao personally visited him at the Bacolod City Riverside Hospital after undergoing surgery.
A member of the renowned Penalosa boxing clan, Jonathan had a seven-year pro career from 1985 to 1993, highlight of which was his fight against WBA flyweight champion Yong Kang Kim of South Korea in 1992, which he unfortunately lost via a sixth round knockout.
Following his boxing career, Jonathan became a fight trainer and eventually joined Pacquiao’s stable of local trainers.
He was part of Pacquiao’s team for some of his marquee fights that include those against Tim Bradley, Jeff Horn, Lucas Matthysse, Keith Thurman, among others.
It was also Penalosa who trained Pacquiao in his six-round exhibition fight against South Korean martial artist DK Yoo in 2022.
As Pacquiao retired, the elder Penalosa took under his wings Pacman’s fighting son Eman Bacosa.
Jonathan is one of three boxing children of patriarch Carl Penalosa, a two-time Philippine super-lightweight champion.
He is brother to two-time world champions Dodie Boy and Gerry Penalosa.
His career record stood at 15-4-1 with 7 KOs.
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