Former world title challenger Jonathan Penalosa lost his battle with colon cancer on Monday night at the age of 57.

Penalosa was part of the famed Penalosa family that produced two separate two-division titleholders – Jonathan was older than his brother Gerry and younger than Dodie Boy Penalosa Snr. Jonathan was also part of the training team of Manny Pacquiao, often holding pads for the eight-division world champion at his gym in General Santos City, Philippines.

Penalosa turned pro in 1985, running his record to 15-0-1 before getting his only title shot, a 1992 fight with Yong Kang Kim for the WBA flyweight title in Incheon, South Korea. 

Penalosa was knocked out in six rounds, and he would lose his next three fights as well, including a second-round knockout later that year to Chatchai Sasakul, the Thai who Pacquiao would knock out for his first world title victory six years later. Penalosa retired with a record of 15-4-1 (7 KOs).

After years as an assistant to Pacquiao, Penalosa finally got the chance to be his head trainer in 2022, when he prepared Pacquiao for his six-round exhibition against DK Yoo in South Korea.

Pacquiao, who had visited Penalosa in the hospital just a week ago, paid tribute to him on social media.

“You were not only a coach, you were a brother in battle and in life,” Pacquiao wrote. “Thank you very much for all your sacrifices and love for me and my family. We will never forget you. Our prayers are with the Peñalosa family. We will forever miss you Coach.”

Gerry Penalosa also eulogized his brother, writing on social media: “No more pain brod Jonathan Penalosa, you are a true warrior, a loving and caring brother. Have a safe journey bro, hugs to Mama and Papa.”

The boxers trained by Jonathan Penalosa include Eman Bacosa, plus Filipino-American junior bantamweight Bruno Escalante Jnr and his own nephew Carlo Caesar Penalosa.

Those in the Philippines can send donations to Penalosa’s family for final expenses through his daughter Jhona Marie Penalosa, via GCash (09668321327) or BDO (003080233918).

Ryan Songalia is a reporter and editor for BoxingScene.com and has written for ESPN, the New York Daily News, Rappler, The Guardian, Vice and The Ring magazine. He holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at ryansongalia@gmail.com or on Twitter at @ryansongalia.