Jonathan Peñalosa challenged for a world title in the flyweight division in 1992 before becoming a trainer to some of the big names in Philippine boxing.
The Philippine boxing world mourns the loss of former world boxer and trainer Jonathan Peñalosa, who passed away yesterday at the San Carlos City Hospital in Negros Occidental due to colon cancer.
Peñalosa comes from a family of boxers, which includes former WBC and lineal Flyweight champion Gerry Peñalosa and former IBF Light Flyweight and Flyweight champion Dodie Boy Peñalosa Sr.
Turning pro in 1985, the second eldest of the Peñalosa brothers had a stellar record of 15-0-1, claiming the Philippine Flyweight title and the WBC International Flyweight title.
Peñalosa eventually took a shot at the WBA Flyweight title in 1992 but lost against then champion Yong Kang Kim.
Peñalosa went on to participate in three more fights before calling it quits. He later on joined the training team of eight-time division world champion Manny Pacquiao and eventually became his trainer in 2022.
Pacquiao visited Peñalosa a week before his passing.
In his official Facebook page, Pacquiao gave a message of gratitude for all the love and sacrifice Peñalosa gave him and his family during trying times.
Jonathan's brother, Gerry, also expressed his love for his kuya.
Aside from Pacquiao, Peñalosa also trained his nephew Carlo Caesar Peñalosa, Eman Bacosa, and Filipino-American junior bantamweight Bruno Escalante Jr.