ALA Promotions opens hectic year with Nietes title defense

This year’s Pinoy Pride series is off and running. And it can’t start any better than this.

The 18th installment of the top-rated boxing series will feature two world champions with Donnie “Ahas” Nietes slugging it out with Mexican boxer Moises Fuentes on March 2 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

“Last year was one of the most successful years for us and we are looking to become better this year,” Michael Aldeguer, president/CEO of ALA Promotions, said in a press conference yesterday at the Sarrosa International Hotel and Residential Suites.

ALA Promotions opted to stage the Nietes-Fuentes encounter in Cebu when it could have brought the fight to Manila.

“It was actually easier to bring the fight to Manila. But for us it is a special fight so we decided to hold it in Cebu as a way of giving back to the Cebuanos. ALA Promotions is from Cebu so it’s just right to start the year by treating the Cebuanos with a mega-fight,” said Aldeguer.

At stake in the fight is Nietes’ WBO lightflyweight crown. The two-world division champion Nietes (31W-1L-3D-17KOs) is looking to stay as the second longest reigning world champion next to Gabriel “Flash” Elorde.

“I’m ready for this fight. I’ve been training while awaiting for my next opponent to stay in shape,” said Nietes.

Fuentes (16W-1L-8KOs) was the WBO minimumwieght champion until he relinquished the belt to move up to a heavier division and challenge Nietes.

NEW SPONSOR

The fight was originally scheduled on Feb. 2 but was stalled due to the negotiations.

“We know it’s gonna be tough in the ring but it’s tougher outside the ring,” Aldeguer said. “The negotiation took a bit of time. It took us time to put this fight together so it was moved to a later date.”

What helped seal the deal was when ALA Promotions was able to bring in international sponsor Tecate, a popular beer in Mexico.

“What made the day was when Tecate came in. Tying up with international sponsors is part of the long-term plan. We want to penetrate the boxing world and we are already making noise,” Aldeguer said.

Aside from Tecate, Pinoy Pride continues to enjoy support from local sponsors.

Aldeguer said sponsors play a key role in staging world-class fights. “If the sponsors doesn’t step up, we will not only lose our boxers to foreign promoters like Top Rank but boxing in general.”

BUSY 2013

ALA Promotions is gearing up for a busy year.

“We are targeting 12 fightcards this year which will be held across the country,” Aldeguer said. This includes Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista’s April fight in Davao City and if plans don’t miscarry, Milan Milendo’s world title shot against Tyson Marquez probably in June in Manila.

Aldeguer said fans could even see AJ “Bazooka” Banal fight again this year.

Banal has returned to training two weeks ago after losing in a world title fight against Thailand’s Pungluang Sor Singyu last October at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Banal was so frustrated with the loss that he contemplated on quitting.

“Banal has been always in the microscope. He may fight in an undercard in May. AJ will be back but at what level, we don’t know,” Aldeguer said. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA and Correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr