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WORLD Boxing Organization Asia Pacific minimum weight champion Vic  Saludar,  who is ranked No. 4 in the world, gets the biggest chance of his career when he battles Japan’s world champion Kosei Tanaka, the 20-year-old youngster with a record of 5-0, with 2 knockouts on New Year’s Eve in Nagoya, Japan.

One of the newest additions to the famed ALA Gym in Cebu, Saludar said he has been “more focused in training now because I know this is the biggest fight of my career.”

The 25-year-old Saluiddar, who has a record of 11-1 with 9 knockouts to his name, said this is a big chance for him as his dream is to become a world champion, which is the reason he turned pro after a highly promising amateur career.

Should Saludar win, he will join Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, the WBO light flyweight champion as the second world title holder from the ALA Gym.

Asked about possible adjustments against the Japanese world champion, Saludar indicated the adjustments will be done inside the ring, which will depend on how Tanaka fights.

He revealed he had discussed strategy with his coach and the plan is to |always be in a position in  front of him, “so I would always be ready to strike anytime and to make fast adjustments.”

Saludar believes his advantage is that Tanaka is not a powerful puncher.

“I would focus on that weakness and will try to catch him if there’s an opening. At the same time, I have to be careful against his punches that sometimes come  quickly,” said Saludar.

Tanaka, in only his second fight as a pro, fought world-rated Filipino Ronelle Ferreras and won a comfortable victory. In that bout, Tanaka demonstrated his speed and skills, despite having to take some solid body shots on the way to an eight-round unanimous decision  on March 16, 2014.

Tanaka won the vacant world title with a stunning 12th-round unanimous decision over Mexico’s favored Julian Yedras on May 30 this year.

http://thestandard.com.ph/sports/195486/saludar-gets-toughest-challenge-yet.html

 

Nietes_Monico.300w  By Jerome S. Galunan Jr. –

BACOLOD CITY, Philippine – Finally, the much awaited face-off between the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) and Ring magazine junior flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes (35-4-1, 21KOs) and Mexican challenger and former unified WBO/International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimumweight world champ Francisco Rodriguez, Jr. (17-2-1,11KO’s) will be realized today a both fighters set to meet in today’s press conference for the Pinoy Pride 31: Clash of World Champions in Cebu City.

Nietes, who hailed from Bacolod and Murcia and also the longest reigning Filipino champion, in a report said that he is looking forward to avenge the loss of his friend, stablemate and fellow Negrense Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo – who lost to Rodriguez last year.

The erstwhile WBO mnimumweight champion Sabillo surrendered his belt to Rodriguez after downed in the 10th round in their title fight in Mexico.

Nietes has been in tough training in ALA gym in Cebu since April to prepare for his face-off with Rodriguez on Saturday, July 11, at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

ALA gym’s lead trainer Edmund Villamor has stressed that Nietes has the edge over the Mexican when the bell rings.

“Donnie (Nietes) is more experienced than Rodriguez. He has also an edge in skills, speed and power. And, most importantly has the home court advantage,” Villamor said.

In any sport, home court is always an advantage in which gave an athlete more confidence in fighting before his home crowd. However, this doesn’t apply that much to Nietes as he is also undefeated in all his fights in Mexico – beating down his opponents despite the pressure from the home fans.

But, Villamor reiterated that they won’t be that complacent against Rodriguez as he is a former champion who has an impressive record against Filipino fighters.

Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella yesterday said that he believes that Nietes will prevail in this fight. “I know Donnie [Nietes] will prevail in this match because he possesses the proper motivation and guidance under my former [basketball] coach, Antonio’Bidoy’ Aldeguer. And, Donnie has the heart and the will to win,” Puentevella said.

Murcia town Mayor Andrew Montelibano also foresees similar result on the Nietes-Rodriguez face-off. “With the kind of conditioning and training he is in, I believe Donnie [Nietes] will retain his title. I am in contact with him personally and I can see he is more ready than ever,” Montelibano said.

Also featured in Pinoy Pride 31 is co-main event Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo alongside another promising young prospect Kevin Jake Cataraja.

The undefeated Magsayo (10-0) will face Mexican Rafael Reyes (16-4) for the vacant IBF Youth featherweight title while, Cataraja meets Indonesian Ardi Tefa for a 6-round clash.

 

 

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

THE up-and-coming young stars of the ALA Gym will get much needed exposure in a huge boxing event at the posh Solaire Resort and Casino in Manila next weekend.

 

Unbeaten prospects Albert Pagara, Mark Magsayo and Melvin Gumban will be featured in the undercard of Pinoy Pride XXIV – “The Future is Now”.

 

“We feel that it is important for our young prospects to build their confidence and to be exposed as they prepare themselves to headline Idol,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu.

 

The 20-year-old Pagara (18-0, 12 KOs) faces one of his stiffest tests, former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific super flyweight titleholder Isack Junior (22-4-2, 8 KOs), in a 10-round fight.

 

Magsayo (4-0, 3 KOs), 18, is up against struggling Roy-Roy Sumugat (9-9-1, 3 KOs) in a six-round fight, while 23-year-old Gumban (15-0, 7 KOs) is taking on journeyman Dino Lelis (10-11-2, 5 KOs).

 

Pagara, Magsayo and Gumban are all included in ALA Promotions’ roster of young fighters that will be featured in their boxing show “Idol.”

 

“They have the potential but only time can tell,” said Aldeguer.

 

Also in the undercard are other up-and-coming boxers taking on each other.

 

Genesis Servania (23-0, 9 KOs) is seeing action in the main event against one of his toughest opponents to date, former world champion Alexander Muñoz (36-5, 28 KOs), in a WBO Inter-Continental super bantamweight title defense.

 

Arthur Villanueva (24-0, 14 KOs) is featured in the co-main event against Mexican former world title contender Juan Hernandez (23-3, 16 KOs). He is defending his WBO International super flyweight strap.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2014/02/19/ala-gives-upstarts-needed-exposure-329215

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By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

Undefeated 22 year old Genesis Servania, regarded as one of the more promising prospects from the famed ALA Gym faces a tough challenge from Rafael “El Torito” Concepcionr who scored a 10th round knockout over AJ “Bazooka in a WBA super flyweight interim title fight at the Cebu C oliseum on July 26, 2008.

The WBO Asia Pacific super bantamweight title defense of Servania will take place at the at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino on October 26 and will be telecast by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN on its top-rating “Pinoy Pride” series over Channel 2 and will also be carried globally on The Filipino Channel which is widely watched especially in the Middle East.

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer who  was with vice president Dennis Canete in a luncheon meeting with ABS-CBN’s Peter Musngi informed the Manila Standard that they had received the signed contract from Concepcion only on Wednesday. Concepcion had also faced Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire and dropped a twelve round unanimous decision on August 15, 2009.

In case the Concepcion fight didn’t push through ALA Promotions was considering featherweight Ruben “Canelito” Tamayo as a replacement just in case Concepcion failed to send them the signed contract.

Tamayo is coming of a majority draw against undefeated Filipino Jun Doliguez last July 20 in Mexico and is an accomplished fighter with a record of 22-4-4- with 16 knockouts and gave the fancied Doliguez a hard fight.

The 22 year old Servania is coming off an exciting war with Japan’s Konosuke Tomiyama on the undercard of the WBO flyweight title fight which Milan Melindo lost after a gallant stand against Mexico’s Juan Francisco Estrada who had earlier won the title from WBO/WBA champion Brian Viloria.

In an action-packed battle Servania was dropped twice in the opening round but came back to drop Tomiyana late in the opening round and once again in the third before winning a 9th round technical decision after being cut on the eyelid because of an accidental head-butt and was ruled unfit to continue.

http://www.boxingscene.com/genesis-servania-tough-with-rafael-concepcion-10-26–69945

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By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

Ala Promotions president Michael Aldeguer is looking to stage a double world title fight card in Dubai in October in partnership with the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN whose “Pinoy Pride” series continues to register remarkable TV ratings.

Aldeguer told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard he is “really working on putting up something really big in Dubai” and is considering a mandatory title defense of WBO minimumweight champion Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo against Nicaragua’s Nicaragua’s undefeated Carlos Buitrago.

The 21 year old Buitrago has an impressive record, being unbeaten in 27 fights with 16 knockouts. He won the Interim title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Julian Yedres who was also undefeated at that time with a record of 21-0 with 13 knockouts, on July 20 this year.

He had earlier scored a 6th round TKO over Colombia’s Jorlie Estrada who was knocked out in the 9th round by Sabillo at the plush Solaire Resort and Casino overlooking Manila Bay last July 13.

Buitrago had also beaten Eddy Castro of Nicaragua  by a  2nd round TKO on May 6, 2011 and followed with a 5th round TKO exactly one year later. Castro is the same fighter who was knocked out in the second round by then minimum  weight champion Donnie Nietes in a title defense on August 30, 2008.

Sabillo who is a devastating puncher and an aggressive fighter has a record of  23-0 with 12 knockouts and was a former street fighter in Bacolod who moved to the famed ALA Gym at the age of 25. He is now 29.

Plans call for Sabillo to headline the card alongside WBO light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes.

Aldeguer said “we can’t prolong the wait for Nietes and we will discuss with ABS-CBN’s Peter Musngi the chances of staging a world title double-header and indicated there  is “a strong possibility” it would  happen.

Aldeguer said he was informed recently in Macau by Zanfer Promotions that mandatory challenger Moises Fuentes suffered a cut in his last fight when he scored a ten round unanimous decision over Gerardo Verde in Tijuana on June 28 and that since they can’t wait  until next year, Nietes who retained his title with a close majority draw when he first faced Fuentes last March 2, they  may have a voluntary defense before a Fuentes rematch.

He said that next year the plan is to set-up operations in San Diego, California and will study the chance to put on the Nietes title defense against Fuentes in the United States.

http://www.boxingscene.com/sabillo-nietes-wbo-doubleheader-eyed-dubai–68346

 

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By:  Ronnie Nathanielsz –

Undefeated Milan Melindo, mandatory challenger to WBO/WBA flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada is fit and ready to go in their title fight scheduled at the Cotai Arena of the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino in Macau on Saturday in an exciting fight card to be telecast by ABS-CBN on Sunday at 10:15 a.m, over Channel 2 with a replay on Studio 23 and global coverage over The Filipino Channel, TFC.

ALA Gym head trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor told the Manila Standard from Macau that Melindo is “ready na ready” after some light training in which he “did some jogging, shadow boxing and worked on the punch-mitts.”

Villamor said they also “lectured on the strategy” for the fight which is expected to be a tough one against Estrada who won the title from Brian Viloria last April 6 at the same arena, coming on strong in the championship rounds to clinch the victory.

Villamor said Melindo has been training harder than ever in his two-year quest for the world title and knows he is in for a hard fight.

He said the 25 year old Melindo who has a record of 29-0 with 12 knockouts “is in great shape, his conditioning is good and he’s ready to get the title.” The 23 year old Estrada who will be making his first title defense and has a record of 24-2 with 18 knockouts also had a light workout last night at the Venetian Hotel and looked good.

Headlining the card is two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time World Amateur Champion Zou Shiming who will take on Mexico’s Jesus Ortega.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-85455.html

 

Milan_Melindo-1   SERVANIA

Estrada now in Macau, vows to bring titles back to Mexico

By:  Dale G. Rosal –

Undefeated WBO Intercontinental Flyweight champion Milan “El Metodico” Melindo will depart for Macau, China today along with fellow ALA Gym stalwart and WBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight champion Genesis “Azukal” Servania for their upcoming mega bouts on July 27 at the Cotai Arena of the Venetian Casino and Resort in Macau.

According to ALA Boxing Promotions Vice President Dennis Cañete, Melindo and Servania will be accompanied by their trainer Edito Villamor, assistant trainer Robert Labanza, the team’s nutritionist Abet Biagan and assistant trainer Michael Domingo. ALA Boxing Promotions CEO and President Michael Aldeguer and Cañete will follow them to Macau this Tuesday.

Melindo (29-0, 12KOs) will battle Mexican World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Association (WBA) flyweight titleholder Juan Francisco Estrada in the main event of Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions card while Servania (21-0, 8 KOs) will go up against Konosuke Tomiyama (23-5-1, 8 KOs) of Japan in a 10-round bout.

Melindo and Servania just wrapped up their rigid training this week under the supervision of Villamor with both boxers saying they have acquired new skills which would greatly help them beat their opponents.

“I believe they are one hundred percent prepared mentally and physically,” Villamor said. “I think we will have light training for the rest of the week before the official weigh-in,” he added.

Estrada won the two world titles in a unification bout against Filipino Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria last April also in Macau where Melindo fought in the undercard beating Indonesian Tommy Seran via fourth round TKO.

Both boxers admitted that they are excited about their respective bouts.

Melindo is excited to fight and beat Estrada to bring the two titles back to the Philippines while Servania is excited as this is his first ever international fight.

Servania defended his regional title against Indonesians Angky Angkotta and Isaac Junior earlier this year.

ESTRADA LEAVES FOR MACAU

Meanwhile, Estrada is already en route to Macau for the first defense of his world titles.

According to a report posted on philboxing.com by Carlos Costa, Estrada (24-2, 18 KOs) appeared in high spirits as he walked towards his flight’s gate at Mexico’s Benito Juárez International Airport.

The 23-year-old world champion from Sonora, Mexico, is accompanied by his experienced team, which plans to fine-tune Estrada’s preparations in Macau.

“I am so motivated to make my first defense. I have done a good training and it will show in the ring. We will bring our two belts back to Mexico. I share my titles with my team and with the people of Mexico who support me,” said Estrada.

Should the Mexican beat Melindo, his promoters plan a blockbuster all-Mexican affair between “El Gallo” Estrada and popular former world champion Hernán “Tyson” Márquez.

Estrada, promoted by Zanfer Boxing and Top Rank, will be seen in action on July 27 on HBO in the United States and TV Azteca 7 in México. /with carlos costa of philboxing.com

According to ALA Boxing Promotions Vice President Dennis Cañete, Melindo and Servania will be accompanied by their trainer Edito Villamor, assistant trainer Robert Labanza, the team’s nutritionist Abet Biagan and assistant trainer Michael Domingo. ALA Boxing Promotions CEO and President Michael Aldeguer and Cañete will follow them to Macau this Tuesday.

Melindo (29-0, 12KOs) will battle Mexican World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Association (WBA) flyweight titleholder Juan Francisco Estrada in the main event of Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions card while Servania (21-0, 8 KOs) will go up against Konosuke Tomiyama (23-5-1, 8 KOs) of Japan in a 10-round bout.

Melindo and Servania just wrapped up their rigid training this week under the supervision of Villamor with both boxers saying they have acquired new skills which would greatly help them beat their opponents.

“I believe they are one hundred percent prepared mentally and physically,” Villamor said. “I think we will have light training for the rest of the week before the official weigh-in,” he added.

Estrada won the two world titles in a unification bout against Filipino Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria last April also in Macau where Melindo fought in the undercard beating Indonesian Tommy Seran via fourth round TKO.

Both boxers admitted that they are excited about their respective bouts.

Melindo is excited to fight and beat Estrada to bring the two titles back to the Philippines while Servania is excited as this is his first ever international fight.

Servania defended his regional title against Indonesians Angky Angkotta and Isaac Junior earlier this year.

Milanmelindo

Photo: googleimages/wow.cdo.com –

Monday, May 27, 2013

PREPARATION and strategy are always the keys to a victory in any fight.

ALA Gym head coach Edito Villamor has already devised a game plan, while Milan Melindo has been working extra hard in the gym ahead of his world title fight two months from now.

“His training is going great. We have been doing physical and endurance training for almost a month. We have started spar play in preparation for the start of sparring next week,” Villamor told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.

Melindo is challenging Juan Francisco Estrada for his World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association flyweight belts on July 27 at the Cotai Arena of the Venetian Casino and Resort in Macau.

Villamor and Melindo both believe that they have Estrada all figured out. They feel that Estrada’s weakness is his body, which was also his main arsenal when he beat Brian Viloria.

“He has improved his power but we are preparing to go the distance. We plan to outbox the whole 12-round fight but if there is an opportunity, we will go all out. We are also improving the toughness of Milan’s body,” said Villamor. “Our plan is to use blocking defense then counter punch to the body but it depends on the actual fight and what will be the opening. Or maybe we could fight from the distance so that Estrada won’t be able to use his body punches.”

The 23-year-old Estrada used some vicious blows to the body to weaken Viloria and walk away with a tight split decision to win the twin titles last month, also in Macau. Melindo was also victorious on that same night, when he stopped Indonesian Tommy Seran in four rounds.

The 24-year-old Melindo is unbeaten with an impressive 29-0 slate with 12 knockouts, while Estrada is 24-2 with 18 knockouts.

Unbeaten Genesis Servania (20-0, 8 KOs) is also slated in the same blockbuster Macau card against Japanese former world title challenger Konosuke Tomiyama (23-5-1, 8 KOs).

Servania, who will make his international debut, is off a dominant third round knockout over Indonesian prospect Isack Junior last Saturday night at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sports/2013/05/27/preparation-key-284472

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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.”

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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. 


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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.

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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

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By:  Rene Bonsubra, Jr. –

MACAU – The Filipino expats celebrated early with the sensational wins scored by the Filipino boxers on the undercard of ‘FISTS OF GOLD’ in Macau’s Cotai Arena. Milan ‘El Metodico’ Melindo of the ALA Gym surprised Tommy Seran with double left hooks and sent the Indonesian down in the first round. Seran got up and in the second, after a series of exchanges, a counter right sent Seran down again.

Seran looked hurt but managed to survive the round. In the third, Seran tried to fight back but Milan effectively mixed his offense to the body and head.

In the 4th, Melindo’s left hook landed smack on Seran’s jaw and the Indon landed falt on his back. He got up but staggered like a drunk prompting the referee to call a halt to the bout at 2:38.

Melindo remains unbeaten at 28-0, 12 KO’s. Seran drops to his second loss at 18-2, 9 KO’s.

Photos: Milan Melindo celebrates after winning by TKO against Tommy Seran of Indonesia Saturday night at Cotai Arena, The Venetian Hotel & Casino in Macau. Photos by Dong Secuya.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-82047.html