PINOY PRIDE RETURNS TO SOLAIRE MARCH 1

By Rene Bonsubre, Jr. –

MANDAUE CITY, CEBU – Blue chip prospects Genesis “Azukal” Servania (R) and “King” Arthur Villanueva (L) will be featured in the 24th edition of the popular “PINOY PRIDE” boxing series at the Solaire Resort and Casino.

Servania (23W-0L, 9 KO’s) will stake his WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight title against Alexander “El Explosivo” Muñoz (36-5, 28 KO’s) of Venezuela.

The official launching of the card billed as “The Future is Now” was held Wednesday noon at the Copenhagen Hotel and Residences. During the event, ALA Promotions Pres and CEO Michael Aldegeuer stated that this fight will determine if Servania is ready to fight for a world title. He said that Servania is in search of a career defining fight and Muñoz, a former WBA super flyweight champ, will certainly provide a tough test.

Muñoz has lost to quality fighters like Cristian Mijares, Koki Kameda and Leo Santa Cruz. This will be Servania’s second stint as a Pinoy Pride headliner and his first as a main event event boxer in Metro Manila. Last October in Cebu City, Servania, who was recently picked as the best boxer by the WBO, knocked out Panamanian Rafael Concepcion in two rounds.Servania recently arrived from his training stint in the U.S and Mexico

This is the second PINOY PRIDE event set at the Solaire. Last July 13, 2013, the venue was the site of Merlito Sabillo’s successful defense of his WBO 105 lb division title against Jorle Estrada of Colombia.

Villanueva (24-0, 14 KO’s), the reigning WBO International super flyweight titlist, will be the co-main feature against Mexico’s Juan “Churritos” Hernandez. Villanueva had a stellar year, beating another erstwhile undefeated Filipino prospect, Marco Demecillo by unanimous decision and stopping Mexican boxers Arturo Badillo and Edgar Martinez.

Hernandez owns a disqualification win against Filipino minimumweight contender Denver Cuello and a split decision win over Moises Fuentes. This is the same Fuentes who fought Donnie Nietes to a draw here in Cebu last year. In 2011, Hernandez lost to Kazuto Ioka of Japan in his attempt to win the WBC minimumweight title. He also lost to Ramon Garcia Hirales by 8th round KO last year.

L-R: Trainer Editor Villamor, Arthur Villanueva, ALA President Michael Aldeguer and Genesis Servania during Wednesday’s presscon at the Copenhagen Hotel & Residences in Mandadue City. Photo by Dong Secuya.

The undercards will also showcase another unbeaten ALA boxer, “Prince” Albert Pagara, who will fight Isack Junior of Indonesia.

Rounding up the undercards are Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo vs Royroy Sumugat (6 rounds), Melvin Gumban vs Dino Lelis (8 rounds), Vic Saludar vs Philip Luis Cuerdo (6 rounds) and Reyme Castillano Aleye of Cuba vs Justo Bornilla.

Aleye had an impressive showing against Rodel Wenceslao last month during the Sinulog Festival here in Cebu.

FUTURE CARDS

ALA Promotions CEO Michael Aldeguer also announced their plans for this year’s PINOY PRIDE events. They will have an event in Davao City this April 5 with Jason Pagara as the headliner. The venue of the rematch between Nietes and Fuentes is still under negotiation but if it will be held here, they plan to stage the event at the Mall of Asia Arena on May 3. There is a June 20 event penned for Dubai and a July card in San Diego.The California State Athletic Commission has approved ALA Promotions’ plan to stage a boxing show there this year.

Does this mean there will be fewer big boxing events for Cebu?

Aldeguer acknowledged PINOY PRIDE’s origins and growth in Cebu and thanked the Cebu media for their continuing support. He also stated that since Cebu boxing fans have been watching so many big events throughout the years, they have learned to expect higher quality match-ups. Cebu, however, is in need of a bigger boxing venue, bigger than the Waterfront Hotel. There is a huge arena under construction at the South Reclamation area and this could very well host the next world title bouts here in the country’s fight capital.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-91981.html

By Rene Bonsubre, Jr. –

CEBU CITY – The adversaries for the 20th edition of the ‘Pinoy Pride’ series had their final round of sabre rattling today during the final press conference held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. Jason “El Niño” Pagara (30-2, 19KO’s) of the ALA Gym, who will defend his WBO International light welterweight title against Mexico’s Aaron “La Hoya” Herrera (25-1, 17 KO’s) said that the Mexican challenger’s style is easy to solve.

“Simpol ra kaayo ni siya pildihon.” Pagara said when asked to comment about Herrera’s fight videos. “I will not promise anything but you will see a knockout.”

Herrera for his part said that he is 200 percent prepared. “I will beat Pagara because this is the first time that he will face a good fighter.”

Trainer Edmund Villamor said that Pagara is in better shape even compared to his condiitoning during the Rosbel Montoya rematch. This will be the second time that Pagara will headline a Pinoy Pride card. They will trade punches this Saturday inside the Pacific Ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. 

Jimrex “Executioner” Jaca (37-6-3, 21 KO’s) will go for the vacant WBO Oriental lt.welterweight title and a world ranking when he fights with Mexico’s Jose Emilio Perea (29-2, 20KO’s). 

Jaca, who is known for his gallant loss against Juan Manuel Marquez, said that he is in better shape now and is only a pound over 140.

WBO VP for Asia Pacific Leon Panoncillo emphasized the importance of the International and regional belts and said that many world champions of the World Boxing Organization were once holders of the International title.

Jaca, who is trained by Franklin Albia, looks forward to the opportunity to face Marquez again.

Undefeated Genesis “Azukal” Servania (19-0, 7 KO’s) will face Isaac Junior of Indonesia (20-3-2, 8 KO’s)in a ten round non-title contest.  Servania is in a must situation because he is already penned for a fight in Macau this July.

A special feature in this card will be the pro debut of Jessel Magsayo of the ALA Gym, who will face Melton Sandal of Zamboanga del Norte in a four rounder. Magsayo is a former amateur standout and caught the attention of Philboxing editor Dong Secuya, who together with this writer, watched him spar against Servania.

Magsayo, who hails from Tagbilaran City, was already spotted by this writer three years ago when he represented the BTC Boxing Club and was chosen as the Best Boxer of the Tournament during the amateur finals of the Mayor Jonas Cortes Cup in Mandaue City.

Also set to see action are Ralph Lulu vs Junnie Salogaol (8 rounds), Roland Servania vs Andrew Palas (4 rounds), Elmo Traya vs Jonie Villacrusis (4 rounds), Richard Barrios vs Lauro Balweg (4 rounds) and Kazuma Ejiri of Japan vs Jonas Sultan (4 rounds).

ALA Promotions VP Dennis Cañete thanked the media together with WBO VP Leon Panoncillo and ABS-CBN for their support.The Pinoy Pride series has shot to double digit ratings nationwide. The last Pinoy Pride event in Davao City, which saw Rey Bautista losing to Jose Ramirez of Mexico, registered 30.4 percent in rural Mindanao and a 17 percent national rating.

The official weigh-in for Pinoy Pride XX: Laban kung Laban will be on noontime Friday May 24 at SM Cebu Events Centre.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-83636.html

Former world champion Jean Piero Perez is set to arrive in Cebu this Sunday together with the rest of his team.

The Venezuelan Perez is scheduled to face WBO number one flyweight contender Milan “El Metodico” Melindo for the WBO international flyweight title in the Pinoy Pride XVI: Philippines vs. Venezuela on Sept. 22 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Perez (13 wins-3 losses-1 draw, 5KOs) will be joined by his trainer Francisco Arroyo and team member Lucio Lam Mejia. They are set to arrive at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR855.

Team Perez will be appearing in a series of press appearances next week at the Baseline Restaurant. Perez became popular after he won the WBA flyweight title via unanimous decision over Mexican Jesus Jimenez in Guadalajara, Mexico last year.

Melindo defends the title he won after defeating Colombian Jesus Geles in Manila last June and will also stake his undefeated record of 27 wins with 11 knockouts against Perez.

The Cagayan de Oro native Melindo is confident of a successful title defense after saying that Perez’s style suits his moves.

Melindo will be having a public workout this Saturday afternoon in SM City Consolacion together with the ALA boxers who will be fighting in the undercard.

Ticket are available at the ALA Boxing and Fitness Gym at the Banilad Town Center, Cebu Grand Hotel and Baseline Restaurant in Juana Osmeña, Cebu City.

By: Dale G. Rosal

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/270392/milans-opponent-to-arrive-sunday

He’d better be true to his words of knocking me out or I might be the one who will stop him.”

With this stern warning, hard-hitting Boholano boxing sensation Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista made known his intentions of beating Mexican Daniel Ruiz when they square off in the undercard of Pinoy Pride XVII: WBO World Bantamweight Championships on Oct. 10 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Bay City, Pasay.

Bautista was apparently pegged by Ruiz’s earlier statement that he will knockout the IBF International featherweight champion who has a record of 33W-2L with 25 KOs.

Ruiz (27-5-1, 19 KOs) is a former WBC Latino Super Featherweight champion. They will be fighting for the vacant WBO International Featherweight title in the card to be headlined by Bautista’s fellow ALA Boxing Gym stablemate AJ “Bazooka” Banal. Banal will be fighting for the vacant WBO World Bantamweight belt against Thai contender Pungluang Sor Singyu.

Bautista recently won against the fake Genaro Garcia of Mexico in the controversial Pinoy Pride XIV held in Bohol last January.

Bautista said that he has matured a lot after he went to a lot of ups and downs. “Thanks to ALA Boxing Promotions, they guided me and helped me stand up again after I almost quit boxing. Now that I am back, I will do my best to win titles,” added Bautista.

Bautista won his IBF belt after beating Mexican Miguel Angel Mendoza last December at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City via sixth round knock-out while Ruiz lost his last fight to Australian Will Tomlinson in his bid to snatch the IBO Super Featherweight title.

Veteran trainer Editho Villamor who handles Bautista’s rigid training said: “We have been training for four months now and everything is going smooth, we already viewed some of Ruiz’s fight tapes and we have figured an affective fight plan aganst him.”

By: Dale G. Rosal

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/266298/bautista-vows-to-stop-foe-in-pp17

WBO No.1 ranked flyweight Milan Melindo is aching for a world title shot but will have to first overcome the challenge of former WBA Interim champion  Jean Piero Perez of Venezuela in “Pinoy Pride XVI” at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino in Cebu on September 22.

The fight card will be telecast by ABS-CBN on September 23 over Channel 2 at 10:15 a.m. with a replay over Studio 23.

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told the Manila Standard that Melindo is eager to get a world title shot and that  “hopefully next year” he will be able to negotiate a title fight for the most technically sound fighter in the ALA Gym with an undefeated record of 27-0 with 11 knockouts.

In fact the WBO champion is Filipino Brian Viloria while there are five other Filipinos including Melindo ranked among the top six challengers. Among them are undefeated Froilan “The Sniper” Saludar at No.2 followed by OPBF champion Rocky Fuentes, Rodel Mayol and Glenn Donaire, brother of WBO/IBF super bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire  who is ranked No. 6.

Aldeguer said Melindo and Fuentes who will defend his Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation title against Japan-based North Korean Myung Ho Lee have had some furious sparring sessions during training for their respective fights. Before his sparring sessions with Fuentes, Melindo sparred with the bigger bantamweight Albert “Prince” Pagara.

Fuentes, nicknamed “The Road Warrior” faces a tough challenge from Lee who will have a group  of 30 supporters flying in from Japan for the fight according to Aldeguer.

The 29 year old Lee with a record of 15-1 with 5 knockouts stands 5’7” and is coming off an 8th round technical decision over Sho Nazakawa last March 20 and has had impressive wins over Filipino fighters Albert Alcoy over whom he scored a 6th round TKO on October 3, 2010 and a 2nd round knockout of Alfred Nagal on September 10, 2006.

Melindo’s opponent for the WBO International Flyweight title is 31 year old Perez who won the title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Mexico’s Jesus Jimenez on January 29 last year.

Perez moves well, throws flurries of punches and has both hand-speed and power as evidenced by the fact that he dropped former AJ “Bazooka” Banal conqueror Rafael Concepcion twice in the second round in their March 27, 2008 clash in Panama although Concepcion came back to win by a 3rd round TKO.

By: Ronnie Nathanielsz

http://www.boxingscene.com/milan-melindo-hungry-secure-world-title-opportunity–56700

In a recent interview with the top trainer of Daniel “Canerito” Ruiz (27-5-19 KO) in Los Mochis Sonora, Mexico, Luis Gonzalez has expressed his boxer is ready to give Boom Boom Bautista the fight of his life.

Gonzalez is happy to have the opportunity for Ruiz to challenge for the WBO International Featherweight Title as the Co-Main Event of the World Title Championship of AJ Banal at Pinoy Pride XVII in Mall of Asia Manila October 20.

“Daniel will be in top shape coming to the Philippines. Daniel is fast and has a KNOCKOUT PUNCH”, we will go for the KNOCKOUT”, added Gonzalez.

“Daniel has fought in Canada and Australia, so fighting away from Mexico is not a problem. The fight from Canada is on You Tube and we were robbed in that fight. The International Boxing Organization World Title fight in Australia was another controversial fight. In the eighth round, the electrical power went out in the Arena and never came back on so the fight went to the scorecards.”

“We were assured that the Philippines and ALA Boxing Promotions are World Class in there boxing events. That is what we want. We are proud to fight in the land of Manny Pacquiao a great Boxing Champion.”

“Team Ruiz has studied the videos of Boom Boom and we will work on our strategy to defeat Bautista,” added Gonzalez.

By: Mike Lopez

http://philboxing.com/news/story-74623.html

CEBU – ALA Promotions formally launched the 16th edition of the top rated PINOY PRIDE series today in a press conference held at the Cebu Grand Hotel. The thinking man’s pocket warrior, Milan “El Metodico” will defend his WBO International flyweight title and risk his lofty world ranking against Jean Piero Perez of Venezuela in the main event. This fight is set at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel on September 22.

The 24 year old Melindo (27-0, 11 KO’s) is the WBO number one ranked contender and is also in the top ten of the WBC, WBA and IBF. He will be looking at the outcome of the fight between WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria and WBA champion Hernan Marquez this September 29.

But first, Melindo must get past Perez (19-4-1, 14 KO’s), a former WBA interim flyweight champion. Perez is ranked three notches above Melindo in the WBA rankings.

Their common opponent is Francisco Rosas of Mexico. Perez had a twelve round draw with Rosas in 2008 while Melindo stopped Rosas in ten rounds last year.

The 31 year old Perez has faced quality opposiiton. He lost to Panamanian Rafael Concepcion, who is known here in Cebu for beating AJ Banal, but Perez beat another Panamanian former WBA champion, Carlos Murillo, in 2005. Perez’ last fight was in Panama City last April, where he beat Michael Arango by 8th round knockout.

ALA Promotions CEO Michael Aldeguer said that it is a big risk at this point to match Melindo against a world ranked boxer, but he wants to continue their tradition of providing quality fights that the fans want.

Melindo is no stranger to former world champions, having beaten Muhamad Rachman and Carlos Tamara and former interim WBO champ Jesus Geles.

Melindo has made no knockout predictions but but he promises a good fight. “I have seen Perez’ fight against Jesus Jimenez. I know that if he gets hurt, he fights back, he doesn’t back away. So, this will be a good fight.”

“I have been scoring knockouts since my body matured.” Melindo said, “I used to fight at 105 and I won by points. Now, I have grown, my muscles have developed and my conditoning has improved so I have won my recent fights by knockout.”

Also set to appear on the undercard is OPBF flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes (33-6-2, 20 KO’s) who will face Myung-Ho Lee (15-1, 5 KO’s), a Korean based in Japan. Both are on a thirteen fight winning streak and one of which will have to lose on fight night.

Fuentes is in the top ten of the four major sanctioning bodies and is also being positioned for a future world title shot.

‘I cannot afford to be complacent,” Fuentes said, “I have seen his fights and I know he is good.”

Also attending the presscon were ALA Gym trainer Edito Villamor, ALA Promotions VP Dennis Canete and PR Director Chad Canares.

L-R: Trainer Edito Villamor, Milan Melindo, ALA President Michael Aldeguer and Rocky Fuentes pose during Thursday’s press conference held at the Cebu Grand Hotel in Cebu City.

By: Rene Bonsubre, Jr.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-74292.html

As though the battle for the vacant WBO bantamweight title between No.1 ranked AJ “Bazooka” Banal and No.2 ranked Pungluang Sor Singyu of Thailand isn’t attractive enough, famed ALA Promotions has put together a blockbuster undercard for the October 20 “Pinoy Pride XVII” at the MOA Arena on Roxas Boulevard.

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told the Manila Standard that popular Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista will clash with Mexico’s Latino super featherweight champion Daniel Ruiz for the WBO International featherweight title while promising Jason Pagara will face off against Commonwealth Zonal champion Miguel “Hands of Stone” Antoine of Barbados for the WBO International junior welterweight crown.

Banal and Pungluang both promised fireworks on fight night with the tough Thai fighter who has disposed of 16 Filipino opponents including such talented boxers as Eden Sonsona and Marvin Tampus predicting he would knock out Banal in four rounds.

Appearing on a pre-fight special taped at the studios of ABS-CBN, Banal shot back that he will KO Pungluang in three rounds before both protagonists agreed to let their fists do the talking in the ring on October 20 and allow the predictions to stand until then.

Bautista (33-2, 25 KO’s) who is coming off a farce of a fight against a fake Genaro Garcia whom he knocked out in the 2nd round last March 3 is the reigning IBF International 126 pound champion having won nthe title with a 6th round knockout of Miguel Angel Mendoza on December 10, 2011.

Ruiz (27-5-1, 19 KO’s) on the other hand, won the vacant WBC Latino super featherweight title with a 2nd round knockout of Ricardo Castillo on December 10, 2011.

In his last fight on May 18 this year Ruiz lost a bizarre 8th round technical decision in an IBO super featherweight title fight to Australia’s Will Tomlinson when the lights went out at the Melbourne Pavilion and since power was not restored, officials decided to award the fight to the Aussie on the basis of the scorecards at the end of the 8th round.

Pagara (29-2, 18 KO’s) is coming off a crushing 6th round TKO victory in a rematch with rugged Mexican veteran Rosbel Montoya last August 18 to win the vacant WBO International title in which he dropped Montoya three times, the last a devastating shot to his upper arm which didn’t allow the Mexican to continue because of severe pain.

Pagara will go up against the undefeated Antoine (17-0-1, 9 KO’s) who won the vacant Commonwealth Zonal title with a ten round unanimous decision over undefeated Mark Austin on February 25, 2011 after which he won the vacant WBC Caribbean Boxing Federation lightweight title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Revlon Lake on February 25, 2012.

By: Ronnie Nathanielsz

http://philboxing.com/news/story-74488.html

CEBU – ALA Promotions formally launched the 16th edition of the top rated PINOY PRIDE series today in a press conference held at the Cebu Grand Hotel. The thinking man’s pocket warrior, Milan “El Metodico” will defend his WBO International flyweight title and risk his lofty world ranking against Jean Piero Perez of Venezuela in the main event. This fight is set at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel on September 22.

The 24 year old Melindo (27-0, 11 KO’s) is the WBO number one ranked contender and is also in the top ten of the WBC, WBA and IBF. He will be looking at the outcome of the fight between WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria and WBA champion Hernan Marquez this September 29.

But first, Melindo must get past Perez (19-4-1, 14 KO’s), a former WBA interim flyweight champion. Perez is ranked three notches above Melindo in the WBA rankings.

Their common opponent is Francisco Rosas of Mexico. Perez had a twelve round draw with Rosas in 2008 while Melindo stopped Rosas in ten rounds last year.

The 31 year old Perez has faced quality opposiiton. He lost to Panamanian Rafael Concepcion, who is known here in Cebu for beating AJ Banal, but Perez beat another Panamanian former WBA champion, Carlos Murillo, in 2005. Perez’ last fight was in Panama City last April, where he beat Michael Arango by 8th round knockout.

ALA Promotions CEO Michael Aldeguer said that it is a big risk at this point to match Melindo against a world ranked boxer, but he wants to continue their tradition of providing quality fights that the fans want.

Melindo is no stranger to former world champions, having beaten Muhamad Rachman and Carlos Tamara and former interim WBO champ Jesus Geles.

Melindo has made no knockout predictions but but he promises a good fight. “I have seen Perez’ fight against Jesus Jimenez. I know that if he gets hurt, he fights back, he doesn’t back away. So, this will be a good fight.”

“I have been scoring knockouts since my body matured.” Melindo said, “I used to fight at 105 and I won by points. Now, I have grown, my muscles have developed and my conditoning has improved so I have won my recent fights by knockout.”

Also set to appear on the undercard is OPBF flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes (33-6-2, 20 KO’s) who will face Myung-Ho Lee (15-1, 5 KO’s), a Korean based in Japan. Both are on a thirteen fight winning streak and one of which will have to lose on fight night.

Fuentes is in the top ten of the four major sanctioning bodies and is also being positioned for a future world title shot.

‘I cannot afford to be complacent,” Fuentes said, “I have seen his fights and I know he is good.”

Also attending the presscon were ALA Gym trainer Edito Villamor, ALA Promotions VP Dennis Canete and PR Director Chad Canares.

L-R: Trainer Edito Villamor, Milan Melindo, ALA President Michael Aldeguer and Rocky Fuentes pose during Thursday’s press conference held at the Cebu Grand Hotel in Cebu City.

By: Rene Bonsubre, Jr.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-74292.html

Two of the three Mexican protagonists that will be seeing action this Saturday, August 18, 2012 for the Pinoy Pride XV: Philippines vs Mexico THE REMATCH will arrive Cebu, Philippines today August 13, 2012.

Mexicans Jorge Pazos and Angel “Arcanghel” Martinez is scheduled to land at Mactan Cebu International Airport 1050 am via Philippine Airlines Flight PR 853.

Team Mexico, that will be headed by party spoiler Rosbel Montoya who beat young Philippine prospect Jason Pagara last year will be joining his countrymen Jorge Pazos and Angel Martinez tomorrow when he is set to arrive 11:55 pm. Montoya will again face Pagara in a mouth-watering rematch that will either prove Montoya’s win was no fluke or will Jason have his way and exact revenge. This bout will be for the WBO International Junior Lightweight Championship.

Jorge Pazos will be seeing action against one of the Philippines more talented prospect Genesis “Azukal” Servania in a 12 round title bout that will be having the WBO Asia Pacific Super Bantamweight title at stake. Servania will be gunning for his 2nd straight title as he just recently won the WBC International Silver Super Bantamweight Championship against the grizzled and tested Genao “Poblanito” Garcia in a spectacular 12 round TKO performance.

Completing the Mexican trio will be Angel Martinez that is out to prove to Jimrex Jaca that his youth wont be a hindrance in helping their team win this battle with the Filipinos. Martinez will be facing Jaca in a non-title bout.

Pinoy Pride XV” Philippines vs Mexico THE REMATCH is brought to you by ALA Promotions and ABS CBN Sports happening at the Waterfront Cebu Hotel and Casino on August 18, 2012. Tickets are available in all SM City Cebu and Consolacion Customer Service Counters, ALA Promotions Head Office (032.2364611), ALA Boxing and Fitness Gym at the BTC, Cebu, USA Sports and Bisaya Ispisyal outlets, Gaisano Tabunok, Mooon Café @ the I.T. Park in Lahug, Cebu City and at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

This ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports presentation of Pinoy Pride XV: Philippines vs Mexico THE REMATCH will be telecast via ABS-CBN Channel 2 1015 am and replay at 615 Pm on Studio 23 the same day.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-73988.html

PASAY CITY – WBO jr.flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes of the ALA Gym relied on his vast experience and precision punching to turn back the challenge of Felipe Salguero of Mexico. Nietes wisely picked his spots and scored with his uppercuts and overhand rights. Blood slowly trickled from Salguero’s nose as the rounds progressed.

Salguero kept on pressing the action but he missed more than he landed. In the eighth round, Nietes’ punches inflicted a cut on Salguero’s left eyebrow. Nietes had him groggy several times but could not finish him off. The Bacolod City native has been away from the ring for eight months and this could have affected his timing and blunted his instincts.

But Nietes’ lateral movement and uncanny ability to slip punches made Salguero beat the air.

The judges had it closer at 115-113, 116-112 and 116-112, perhaps giving credit to the Mexican’s toughness and aggressiveness. This was Nietes’ first defense he won last October 2011 against Mexican Ramon Garcia Hirales.

Nietes – who is also a former WBO minimumweight world champ – won his seventh fight at the world championship stage.

By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-70870.html

This is a strong message of the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight champion Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes as he is set to defend his crown against former world champion Felipe Salguero of Toluca, Mexico in Pinoy Pride XIV, dubbed ‘Night of Champions’ this coming June 2 at the Resorts World Manila.

“I have studied his game. I have read his style,” said Nietes on a text message to Watchmen Daily Journal.

The Murcia-native champion further disclosed that he have gone through lots of sacrifices in preparing himself to this fight. “I have already sparred more than a hundred times to prepare myself,” he added.

Nietes has a standing record of 29-1-3 win-draw-loss card with 16KOs while Salguero is undefeated with 16 victories, 2 draws and11KOs.

This is the first title defense of Nietes after dethroning erstwhile title holder Ramon Garcia Hirales, also of Mexico, in October of last year at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum here in Bacolod City.

Meanwhile, also seeing action in the undercard is undefeated Milan ‘El Metodico’ Melindo (26-0-0, 10KOs) who will be taking former WBO light flyweight titlist Jesus Geles (13-2-1, 5KOs) of Columbia for the vacant WBO International flyweight title.

Melindo is rated No.1 contender by the WBO in his division and is on collision path with Filipino-American champion Brian Viloria. If ever Melindo pasts Geles on June 2, he will more likely becomes Viloria’s mandatory challenger.

ALA Promotions President/CEO Michael Aldeguer said that they don’t want to fight a fellow Filipino for the title but if they cannot avoid it they will take the fight.

By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-70357.html

Negrense boxing champion Donnie Nietes will have his first title defense for his World Boxing Organization jr. flyweight belt on June 2 at either the Resorts World or Araneta Coliseum in Manila.

Michael Aldeguer, president and CEO of the ALA Promotions, told members of the press in Cebu that they are still finalizing the fight card and Nietes’ opponent, who will come from the top 15 fighters of the WBO in the 108-lb division, reports from the wires said.

Nietes earned the respect of the world boxing stage after dethroning former lightflyweight champion Ramon Garcia of Mexico by unanimous decision before a homecrowd at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum, October last year.

The pride of Murcia town and Bacolod City, Nietes said he will continue to give his best in every fight to give pride and honor to his province and be an inspiration to aspiring Negrense boxers.

Aldeguer earlier said ALA Promotions has always believed in Nietes’ potential to be a world champion and they will backed him up in his every fight.

Meanwhile, Aldguer said the continued success of the “Pinoy Pride” boxing series, a joint project of the ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN, prompted them to aim for bigger and better boxing events, starting with the Nietes fight.

”More world title fights and we will try to bring named opponents that fight fans are familiar with. It may not be easy and would cost much, but we owe it to the public for making Pinoy Pride what it is now, and we know the public will be expecting more from ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN,” Aldeguer said.

“We are looking into that direction of promoting more world titles fights in the Philippines,” he added.

Nietes, the only current world champion from ALA Promotions, last fought for over five months ago.

Either Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista or world-rated Milan Melindo is fighting in the co-main event of one of ALA Promotion biggest events this year.

The choice depends on the result of ALA Promotions’ negotiation with the camp of Genaro “Poblanito” Garcia.*with a report from PNA

http://www.visayandailystar.com/2012/April/09/sportnews1.htm

ALA Boxing Promotions is offering 23-year-old WBO Intercontinental flyweight champion Milan “El Metodico” Melindo a mandatory bout this year if he surpasses another tough test against former WBC and WBO Latino flyweight champion Juan Esquer in the main event of the Pinoy Pride XI on Jan. 28 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Melindo, who sports a 25-0 (win-loss) record with nine knockouts, is one of the brightest bets for a world crown in the flyweight division after scoring a lopsided win over Mexican Francisco Rosas last year.

“His reputation in the boxing world is very high,” said ALA Boxing Promotions president Michael Aldeguer during yesterday’s official launching of the event at the PAGCOR Casino Filipino theater at the Waterfront. “A lot of champions want to fight Milan and we are ready for that. He just needs to win every time and we are planning to follow mandatory bouts for him.”

Fellow Filipino Brian Viloria reigns as the WBO flyweight champion and a fight against him seems possible according to Milendo’s camp. But they said other options are being considered to prevent an all-Filipino duel.

As for now, Milendo’s eyes are set on Esquer as he defends his WBO intercontinental title.

“I viewed his tapes and his style is very fit for me because he is a slugger. I’ll just have to find a way to beat him,” said Milendo.

Esquer’s latest bout ended up in disappointment after he was disqualified against Ricardo Nunez last November during their WBO Latino flyweight bout for excessive low blows in the seventh round.

UNDERCARD BOUTS

Meanwhile, former Braveheart stable pug and WBO Oriental featherweight champion Lorenzo “Thunder Bolt” Villanueva (21-0-20 KOs) will fight Mexican Diego “Tyson” Ledesma (18-4-2 12 KOs) in a non-title bout in the undercard.

Also to be featured in the undercard is Mhar Jhun “Astig” Macahilig (13-1-7KOs), who will be facing Thai veteran Kaichon Sor Vorapin (25-10-9KOs). Bacolod’s reigning OPBF minimumweight champion Merlito Sabillo will also go up against Indonesian journeyman and Indonesia Boxing Commission minumumweight champion Sofyan Effendi (11-11-2 9KOs).

Former ALA fighter and RP No. 1 featherweight contender Joseph Von Minoza returns to his original stable to fight Korean Yoo Shin Kim in the 128lbs division.

Another attraction will be the bout between Jojo “Flash” Entor against Crispin Barba while Mark Acub and Samuel Galinato will fight in the 126lbs division. Ivor Lastrilla faces Jicky Gaco in the opening bout.

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