2011: A banner year for ALA Boxing Promotions

SLOWLY but surely, the Queen City of the South is becoming the boxing capital of the country.

And when you talk about boxing promotions, one name that would probably pop up would be ALA Promotions.

The past year was a great one for ALA as the phrase Pinoy Pride become a household name after it showcased some of the country’s up-and-coming boxers and some of the world’s top prospects.

ALA Promotions, behind its dynamic President/CEO Michael Aldeguer, considered 2011 as a banner year after it was able to promote close to a 100 boxing events around the country.

“Last year was something not expected when boxing reached its pinnacle. It was a remarkable year not only for promotion but in boxing in general,” said Aldeguer in a recent press briefing.

ALA Promotions got a needed shot in the arm in its quest to elevate boxing in the country when it managed to tie up with several corporate entities.

The boxing outfit joined hands with Asia Brewery Inc. for its ALA-Cobra Tunay na Lakas Boxing Tour and teamed up with the Summit Natural Drinking Water for its weekly amateur boxing series, which was part of ALA Promotions’ thrust to help develop young aspiring fighters.

There was also giant network ABS-CBN Sports, whom ALA Promotions tied up with as a TV network partner for the Pinoy Pride boxing extravaganza.

Pinoy Pride did well in television ratings as well, where it drew consistent double-digit ratings.

For this year, Pinoy Pride will start with its 11th installment featuring Milan Milendo against former Mexican world title challenger Juan Esquer in the main event of the “Philippines vs. The World” slated Jan. 28 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

The brand new year also promises to be a greater and grander year for ALA as it gears up to hold more quality fights in the country and is likewise looking forward to have its first-ever Pinoy Pride fightcard in the United States.

“With the help of several sectors, especially the media, we will continue to work hard to come up with quality boxing events in our bid to make Cebu the Las Vegas in Asia,” said Aldeguer.  EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA