SUDDENLY, it seems there’s an upsurge in boxing promotions in the country, thanks obviously to the top-class pioneering efforts of ALA Promotions, headed by its president—the youthful, energetic visionary Michael Aldeguer, who clearly has learned his lessons well from his esteemed dad, Antonio “Tony” Aldeguer.
That ALA Promotions has partnered with the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN in pushing, as only they can, the “Pinoy Pride” series to new heights of viewership nationwide and their joint venture with the widely-watched TFC, the Filipino Channel especially in the Middle East and their breakthrough effort in the United States speaks volumes of the foresight of both ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN, where the interest of Gabby Lopez in boxing and in promoting the sports events was a major boost.
Our longtime friend and now sports consultant Peter Musngi played a quiet, but pivotal role in this broadened concept of “Pinoy Pride” by the ABS-CBN hierarchy, headed by Merch Ventosa, Dino Laureano and Vince Rodriguez.
The ALA-ABS journey continues with a return to the US, this time in San Francisco, when unbeaten Prince Albert Pagara, on the threshold of a world title fight, headlines a card at the San Mateo Events Center.
Then, there is the prospect of a return to the StubHub Center in Carson City, California, where Michael has tentatively got the agreements of Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions to stage a Philippines vs Mexico showdown in September, headed by the mandatory title defense of the longest-reigning Filipino world champion Donnie Nietes against Moises Fuentes, whom he knocked out in the ninth round after dropping the Mexican three times in the round.
Nietes, in the meantime, will defend his title against Raul “Rayito” Garcia, the identical twin brother of Raul Garcia Hirales, from whom Nietes won the title in Bacolod City some five years ago.
Also in the pipeline is a rematch for the IBF light flyweight title between Milan Melindo and Javier Mendoza either in the Philippines in the undercard of the Nietes-Garcia title fight or in Mexico on another date.
Picking up from the momentum of ALA Promotions, a number of promotional outfits are stepping up their efforts, the latest being Omega Pro Sports International, where the likeable Chad Canares, who moved out of ALA Promotions when he ran for vice mayor of Bantayan Island and won, but has decided not to seek re-election because apparently the call of boxing is ringing in his ears.
They staged their first “Who’s Next?” promotion at the plush Robinsons Galeria in the seaside reclamation area of Cebu and were able to get international referee Bruce McTavish to serve as third man in the ring for the main event and more importantly enticed WBO Asia-Pacific head Leon Panoncillo to join, thereby expanding the WBO presence in the Philippines, which is the bedrock of the WBO business as well.
There is also SanMan Promotions of young Jim Claude Manangquil, who has a stable of talented fighters and showcases them from time in promotions in General Santos City and other centers in Mindanao.
Elmer Anuran’s “Saved by the Bell” promotions has also stirred to life with an interesting fight card at the Ynares Center in Pasig City today (Saturday) while MP Promotions is bankrolling a title fight featuring Jerwin Ancajas against Puerto Rico’s unbeaten McJoe Arroyo, the defending IBF super flyweight champion in Bacoor, Cavite on April 16.
Regrettably however, MP Promotions hasn’t had a sustained effort, with Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz too engrossed in other activities including looking after his ranch in the US with some 400 Angus cattle, to give the fighters under MP Promotions and the promotional efforts the necessary attention which is a pity considering the name the outfit carries.
The sons of the late Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, “Bebot and Johnny Elorde are regularly promoting events mainly at the Flash Grand Ballroom at the Elorde sports complex along Sucat Road in Parañaque.
Finally, there is United International Promotions of Japan’s Ryuta Kato and executive director Warren Evison, who have staged some excellent fight cards with a roster of talented Filipinos as well as some Japanese boxers which is a most welcome addition.
We cover the fights for Viva Sports, which telecasts them on the top-rated weekly boxing show “The Main Event”over Pinoy Box Office on SkyCable.
Clearly, the interest in boxing is growing fairly rapidly and we can only hope that the Games and Amusements Board will live up to its mandate to ensure the integrity of the sport, which is essential if we are to succeed and promoters are to get a fair deal.