Kenneth Llover’s Passionate Knockout Win in Japan Captures the Hearts of Pinoy Fans

Powcast Report | Philippine Boxing Has a "Lover Boy" Prospect

It’s not yet the New Year, but Kenneth Llover(13-0-0) has already given Filipino boxing fans plenty to celebrate! With an impressive first-round technical knockout victory against the formidable Tulio Dekanarudo, Llover secured the interim OPBF Bantamweight Title in Japan. This electrifying win is yet another reason to get excited about this rising star from General Trias City, Cavite, the Philippines.

Yes, this is an original piece from Pow Salud. While I’m usually busy with the mic, I felt inspired to put my thoughts into writing this time. Unlike most "keyboard warriors" out there, I’m here not to criticize, but to share the love—just like our newest Filipino boxing sensation, Kenneth Llover.

Having witnessed Llover’s growth and early journey in boxing firsthand, I can confidently say he’s on a path that’s hard to ignore. Initially capturing the attention of boxing vloggers, it’s only a matter of time before mainstream and traditional media turn their spotlight on him. In this age of social media bashing, all we really need is love—and Kenneth Llover is here to bring that into the ring!

At just 21 years old, Llover is far from your average boxing prospect. He’s the complete package: an authentic fighter with a proven track record against tough opponents. From defeating former world title challenger Edward Heno to handing Benny Canete his first professional loss, and who could forget his highlight-reel knockout of the previously undefeated James Pagaling? A glance at his resume will tell you everything—this young boxer is both legitimate and marketable.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Boxing legend Gerry Peñalosa, who’s closely involved with Llover’s team, is confident in the young fighter’s potential. Peñalosa believes that with the right experience, Kenneth Llover could become a world champion. In fact, Gerry has even expressed interest in promoting a world championship fight for Llover in the Philippines—a testament to his faith in this rising star.

Now holding the interim OPBF Bantamweight Title, Kenneth is expected to break into the WBC rankings in their next update. During our recent interview, Llover shared his dreams of facing WBC Bantamweight World Champion Junto Nakatani and Ryosuke Nishida, the latter of whom headlined the same event where Kenneth defeated Dekanarudo.

But here’s my take: before dreaming of Nakatani or Nishida, Llover should first face Keita Kurihara, the regular OPBF Bantamweight Champion. Taking it one step at a time will be key to building his career the right way.

On a side note, I’ve heard whispers of multiple boxing promoters eyeing Llover—and why not? The possibilities are endless! Imagine a boxing match on Valentine’s Day featuring Kenneth Llover. It’s the perfect date night for boxing fans—an excuse to enjoy an exciting fight while spending quality time with your significant other. A win-win for everyone!

The future looks bright for Kenneth Llover, and we can’t wait to see what’s next. Boom Boom Pow!