Nietes: Sor Rungvisai, Estrada, Chocolatito – I Want Them Next!

By Dennis Principe –

Call him a late bloomer or what but three-division world champion Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes has the feeling of a 24-year-old boxer ready to take on all comers in the quickest possible time.

Indeed, it took some time, more than a decade to be exact, before the 35-year-old Nietes could finally earn the adulation of boxing fans and pundits, thanks to a highly successful boxing program series “Pinoy Pride” that was painstakingly produced by his handlers and their TV network partner ABS-CBN.

For a while, Nietes (41-1-4, 23 knockouts) took a backseat to his more illustrious stablemates at the famed ALA Boxing Gym as people were enamoured with the likes of Czar Amonsot, Rey ‘Boom Boom’ Bautista, AJ ‘Bazooka’ Banal and Z Gorres who all came short of winning a world crown.

“Even when he became a world champion, his snake was more popular than him,” said promoter Michael Aldeguer, the top honcho of ALA Boxing Promotions.

Back in the day, boxing fans were more interested in having a picture with that reptile Nietes would bring along whenever he made his ring entrance.

“I never thought about it as an insult. My focus is how to win every fight. I even actually wanted to bring my snakes to the US but I just can’t get a visa for them,” was how Nietes light-heartedly recalled people’s admiration towards his unusual pet.

Just last month, Nietes scored what many believe was a breakthrough win for him as it came 11 years after he won his first world crown.

Nietes was able to defend his IBF world flyweight crown via a masterful seventh round destruction of mandatory challenger and former two-division titleholder Juan Carlos Reveco of Argentina on February 24 at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

What made the win special for Nietes was the fact that the fight was held beneath the super flyweight title bout between defending champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai of Thailand and Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada – which was won by the Thai via decision to keep his WBC crown.

“Estrada and Rungvisai, those two are my dream fights. You can add (Roman) Chocolatito (Gonzalez) to that list, anyone among the three, I want them next,” said Nietes.

Being a longtime WBO champion, Nietes is being given the first option to vie for the vacant 115lb crown recently vacated by Naoya Inoue of Japan who decided to move up in weight.

Before conquering the flyweight division, Nietes held the WBO minimumweight crown September 2007 to August 2010 then moved up to capture the WBO 108lb crown which hew held from October 2011 to May 2016.

Initially, the WBO was set to sanction a title bout between Nietes and Gonzalez but the Nicaraguan informed the organization of his desire to have one tune-up match in May before gunning for a world crown.

“I don’t want any more tune-up bouts in moving up. I’ll take that WBO (super flyweight) title shot against anyone that my manager brings in front of me,” said Nietes “I’ve waited for this for a long time I fear that a tune up might make me rusty and that may eventually affect my chances against my desired foes.”

Currently, unbeaten Hong Kong superstar Rex Tso is the highest rated boxer in the WBO super fly rankings followed by Filipino Aston Palicte. Gonzalez is ranked third by the Puerto Rico-based organization.

“Bring them on. I’m ready. This is my moment. 115 is my next stop and I’m set to return to training camp soonest to start preparing for a new challenge in my career,” said Nietes.

http://www.boxingscene.com/nietes-sor-rungvisai-estrada-chocolatito-i-want-them-next–126259?print_friendly=1

Albert Pagara is set to leave for his US training on Monday night.   Photo by:  Jerome Ascano

UNBEATEN Albert Pagara faces the toughest test of his young and promising career as he takes on durable Mexican Cesar Juarez in the main event of the ‘Pinoy Pride’ US edition this coming July.

The 22-year-old pride of Maasin, Leyte is well aware of the task at hand that he’ll be leaving for Los Angeles on Monday night to start training and get in shape for the 12-round super-bantamweight fight set on July 9 at the San Mateo Event Center in California.

Juarez is a familiar name for Filipino fight fans, having stretched Filipino Nonito Donaire Jr. to 12 grueling rounds before losing by unanimous decision in their World Boxing Organization (WBO) championship match last December in Puerto Rico.

But Pagara said he doesn’t fear his 24-year-old foe from Mexico City, who sports a 17-5 record, including 13 by KOs.

“Hindi ako takot sa kanya. Bakit naman tayo matatakot,” said the rising fighter from the ALA Promotions stable when he faced media men on Monday over lunch, just hours prior to his U.S. departure.

“Kaya natin yan,” added Pagara, whose unbeaten in 26 fights, 18 of which by KOs.

ALA Sports Promotions International Inc. president and CEO Michael Aldeguer is aware Juarez is a dangerous opponent for Pagara.

“This is the biggest test for Albert. We knew it would be a dangerous fight and a risk to his WBO No. 2 world ranking,” said Aldeguer in a statement.

“But again, just like (Mark) Magsayo, we need to find out if he has what it takes to be a world champion. Juarez gave Nonito Donaire one of the toughest fights in his career, so this should be another exciting fight. This will be a make or break for Albert.”

The younger of the two Pagara fighting brothers will be leaving for Los Angeles together with trainer Michael Domingo. They will be joined later by chief cornerman Edito Villamor shortly after Donnie Nietes’ defense of his WBO minimumweight title against Raul Garcia at La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City on May 28.

It will be the first time Pagara will be in the US by his lonesome.

“Medyo malungkot kasi mag isa lang tayo,” said Pagara, who was joined by brother Albert, Nietes, and Magsayo during his first ever stint in America last October.

“Pero para naman sa pamilya natin ito, para sa bayan. kaya konting tiis lang.”
www.spin.ph/boxing/news/unbeaten-albert-pagara-ready-to-face-toughest-challenge-as-he-battles-durable-mexican-cesar-juarez#yJ6GB1etSP91ZADY.99

  By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

Two weeks after eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao scored an impressive unanimous twelve round decision in his trilogy with Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley and announced he was hanging up his gloves to pursue his mission of public service through election to the Senate in next month’s elections, Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire stepped up to assume Manny’s mantle of national sports hero by crushing former Hungarian Olympian and world No. 4 ranked Zsolt Bedak in three rounds before an ecstatic crowd of 25,000 supporters at the sprawling Cebu City Sports Center on a hot and humid Saturdaynight.

After an initial feeling-out round, Donaire connected with his lethal left hook to send the challenger who is himself known as “Mr. Left Hook” crashing to the canvas midway in round two.

With blood dripping from his battered nose, Bedak gamely got up only to be deposited on the seat of his trunks with another vicious left hook that had “no mercy” written all over it.

The bell mercifully saved the Hungarian Olympian who had lost only once before in his career as a pro in a title fight against Wilfredo Vazquez Jr who won by a 10th round TKO after Bedak who suffered a broken jaw in round two survived in a gallant effort for eight more rounds before he called it quits. Vasquez himself was dropped and beaten in lopsided fashion by Donaire who won the super bantamweight title at the Alamadome in San Antonio Texas some years ago.

It was clear the end was near as Donaire, cheered on by fight fans who had embraced him after his heroic battle against an unbelievably strong Cesar Juarez of Mexico to win the 122 pound crown for the second time following his crushing 6th round stoppage against the bigger, stronger Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters, chased the wobbly challenger and ripped into him this time with a cracking right hand that dropped Bedak for a third time giving renowned referee Russell Mora no choice but to call a halt to the massacre at 2:44 of the third round.

Despite a battered, bloodied face with blood dripping from his nose and mouth, Bedak assured media that he was fine.

Donaire won the hearts of the hometown crowd by speaking in Bisaya since the island of Cebu is proud of its language and boxing heritage. With this memorable performance, Donaire showed that he is indeed worthy of the monicker “Flash”, a name that was worn by Cebu’s favorite son and legendary boxer, Gabriel Elorde, the son of a poor farmer from the town of Bogo who was the longest reigning Filipino world champion until WBO light flyweight Donnie Nietes punched his way to surpass the record in January last year.

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer who teamed up with lead promoter Top Rank and the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN told The Standard that the plan is to see whether Donaire’s next title defense could also be staged in the Philippines in the face of the massive support from Filipino fight fans looking for someone to carry the torch for Philippine boxing.

www.philboxing.com/news/story-118577.html

 I CAME HERE TO BOX, that’s what challenger Zsolt Bedak (left), a technical former Olympian, said about his fight tomorrow with WBO super bantamweight title holder Nonito Donaire Jr. He said the match will go 12 rounds. However, for Nonito Donaire Sr., the trainer of the champion, the fight will end with Bedak’s knockout in the sixth round.

A visibly pumped Nonito Donaire Jr. is drawing energy from the home crowd, hoping for an explosive finish against challenger Zsolt Bedak in his first defense of the WBO super bantamweight title at the Cebu City Sports Center.

“I feel like there’s a fire burning inside me. Dako kaayo akong pasalamat sa mga tawo, I am very motivated because of the crowd,” the defending champion said after hitting 121 and 3/4 pounds in his first try at the official weigh-in today.

Donaire, a five-division champion with a 36-3, 23KO record, is making his first title defense of the belt he won against Cesar Juarez in his first fight in Cebu.

Zsolt Bedak, who is 25-1 with 8KOs, also made the limit easily at 121 and 1/2 pounds. He expects the fight to go the distance as he came prepared to last 12 rounds against the champion.

KNOCKOUT WIN

However, for Nonito Donaire Sr., the trainer of the champion, he sees the fight ending as early as the sixth round.

“I think it will be until the sixth round only,” said Donaire Sr.

Though he said his son is no longer looking for that one-punch KO, he still sees a knockout win.

“It’s not like before that he’d go in and throw a punch. We will be looking at combos, straight,” he said. “If you feint, Bedak covers up.”

The elder Donaire sees the fight ending in the later rounds should Bedak opt to hold and run, but said the technical former Olympian is perfect for his son.

Bedak ‘won’t be running’

“I like a fighter who throws a lot of punches, because that’s when you can see an opening,” said Donaire Sr.

However, the challenger said he won’t be running come fight night.

“I didn’t come here to put up my hand and run, I came here to box,” he said. “It’s going to go 12 rounds, we prepared for 12 rounds. It’s going to be a decision.”

Bedak has won his last 10 fights since losing to Coliseo Rodriguez in their WBO super bantamweight title bout.

Meanwhile, ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer expects a crowd of 30,000 for tomorrow’s bout, eclipsing the 24,000 who saw Z Gorres’ fight against Fernando Montiel.

www.mycebu..ph/article/donaire-bedak-weigh-in-cebu/

By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

Mexican promoter Oswaldo Kuchle has informed BoxingScene.com/The Standard that he has “released Raul Garcia to fight Donnie Nietes, the WBO light flyweight champion and the longest reigning Filipino world champion” following the willingness of Zanfer Promotions Fernando Beltran to postpone the mandatory challenge of Moises Fuentes against Nietes for a more lucrative showdown at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California on September 24.

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told The Standard that he first wants to “agree on what is going to be out there for Fuentes before we can agree on the Garcia fight.”

He said “if we fight Garcia in May we need to discuss the mandatory with Fuentes in September” before confirming the Nietes title defense against Raul Garcia, twin brother of Ramon  Garcia Hirales from whom Nietes won the title by a unanimous twelve round decision at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City on October 8, 2011.

Aldeguer told us that fight fans in Bacolod were clamoring for Nietes to return to his hometown of Murcia which is on the outskirts of Bacolod. He said “people wanted the fight after all the accomplishments of Donnie.”

If the fight doesn’t take place in Bacolod Aldeguer said the alternative would be the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu.

Aldeguer said Fernando Beltran said he had no objections to the proposal but hadn’t yet formally agreed since they also have to secure the approval of the World Boxing Organization president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel who had earlier directed Nietes to face Fuentes in a   mandatory title defense which would be their third fight after Nietes demolished Fuentes on May 10, 2014, dropping him three times in the 9th  round for a rousing knockout victory at
the Mall of Asia Arena along Manila Bay.

In suggesting that the Nietes-Fuentes mandatory be held in the US, Aldeguer was looking at a big fight with a wider American audience. However, he said if the proposal was disallowed by the WBC president, Nietes was ready to face Fuentes even in Mexico where he defended his minimum weight title successfully on several occasions against  Mexican opponents in their own hometowns.

The 32 year old southpaw Raul “Rayito” Garcia who is ranked No. 11 by the WBO  has a record of 36-3-1 with 22 knockouts. On June 14, 2008, he won the title from  Filipino IBF Minimumweight champion Florante Condes in  a somewhat controversial 12 round split decision after being dropped by Condes in the final round,  in Garcia’s hometown of La Paz, Mexico.

Garcia defended his IBF title four times. He lost the IBF mini flyweight title against South African Nkosinathi Joyi on 26 March 2010 by a unanimous decision.

After losing his IBF title, Garcia went on to win the WBO interim minimumweight title on October 30, 2010 by a split decision against Luis dela Rosa. He was scheduled to face Donnie Nietes on March 12, 2011 for the full championship, however, just two weeks prior to the fight date, Nietes announced that he would be vacating his world title and moving up in weight which resulted in “Rayito” Garcia being elevated to full champion.

On May 30, 2011, he successfully defended the title for the first time by third round TKO against Filipino Rommel Asenjo. Garcia and his brother Ramón made history that on this night when they became the first set of twin brothers to win world title fights on the same card.

http://www.boxingscene.com/donnie-nietes-vs-raul-garcia-agreement-getting-closer–101632

 Donnie Nietes. Photo by Roy Luarca/INQUIRER –

IT WAS no ordinary boxing bout Donnie Nietes won in retaining his WBO junior flyweight crown in Cebu City on Saturday.

When he got tagged with a hard shot to the head in the 10th round, Nietes tarried and took a deep breath. He appeared on the verge of exhaustion.

How he moved back into the fray, to gamble on an injured hand in the 11th before dominating the 12th round, is the story of a quiet and unassuming Filipino champion gallantly retaining the Philippines’ lone remaining world boxing crown.

Michael Aldeguer, top man at ALA Promotions, said on the eve of the championship bout that expectations were bound to be surpassed, going by the quality of the competition.

After the tight tactical battle, which saw leads shifting sharply, it won’t be an exaggeration to say that they ended up serving what could qualify as a superfight.

The bout could have gone either way until Nietes, who injured his right hand in the sixth round, put up a masterful display of sharpness, courage and composure.

* * *

Of course, the fight did not bring with it monumental purses. That could be a prerequisite for a bout that comes to be called a candidate superbout.

It was, however, rich in great exchanges, full of suspense, a real thriller.

What it lacked in dollar decimals, it more than made up in memorable combat.

* * *

Losing mandatory challenger Francisco Rodriguez, his nose busted and bleeding, predictably protested and cried he should have gotten the decision.

Filipino cycling legend Jesus Garcia Jr., a Nietes die-hard, believed a rematch could prove similarly thrilling.

He, however, laughed off the scores of the second and third judges who gave Nietes final leads of 10 and eight points,  thereby making it appear there was a mismatch. Garcia claimed the 115-113 score submitted by the first judge was apt.

* * *

For the record, the taller, ever-charging Rodriguez gave Nietes some tough time with his swarming offensive.

It was just too bad that, unlike Nietes, he lacked necessary defensive skills.

By the way, there was WBO president Paco Valcarcel presiding gleefully over the awarding of belts.

He sure was never remiss in claiming before the championship that Nietes, who always comes out to fight, is a future Hall-of-Famer.

http://sports.inquirer.net/186867/donnie-nietes-wins-a-superfight

Date:  Saturday – March 28, 2015

WBO JR. FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE BOUT

Location:   Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Promoter:    ALA Promotions / Michael D. Aldeguer

Supervisor:  Leon Panoncillo, Jr.

Referee:   Jack Reiss

Judges:   Takeo Harada (JPN), William Lerch (OH),  Max DeLuca (CA)

Results:   Nietes won a twelve rounds bout over Gilberto Parra after he retired in the ninth round on Mar. 28, 2015.

TV:  

Credit:  Photo by Archie Alipalo –

By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

There’s been another change in the opponent of WBO light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, the longest reigning Filipino world champion who is scheduled to defend his title at the classy Mall of Asia Arena on March 28 in a blockbuster card that will also feature the comeback fight of five division champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire.

While Nietes was preparing to defend his title against Mexico’s Luis Ceja, the WBO Championship Committee chairman Luis Batista Salas on January 29 informed ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer and Zanfer Promotions Fernando Beltran that Nietes had to face mandatory challenger Francisco Rodriguez Jr also of Mexico.

The WBO official notified both parties that they were given 30 days to negotiate an agreement and if they failed to do so a Purse Bid would be called within ten days.

Aldeguer consulted Nietes and his team and said they were willing to face Rodriguez although he suggested that Nietes be allowed to fight Ceja as originally planned on March 28 and face Rodriguez in July.

On Monday, Aldeguer learned that Rodriguez “wasn’t ready to fight on March 28” and that Nietes will now defend his title against Gilberto Parra who is ranked No. 13 and Nietes will fight Rodriguez in a mandatory title defense on July 4.

Aldeguer informed the Manila Standard/Viva Sports “we have not signed the contract as yet but hopefully we should get it done by tomorrow (Wednesday).”

The merry-go-round once again highlights the difficulty Filipino promoters have in dealing with Zanfer while it also raises the question as to why the WBO insisted on a mandatory title defense when the challenger was not ready.

Parra has an impressive record of 17 knockouts in 19 wins with one of his losses suffered at the hands of Martin Tecuapetla who scored a lopsided ten round decision on November 2, 2013.

Tecuaptela is the same fighter who dropped a ten round majority decision against Milan Melindo in a clash for the WBO International title on May 10, 2014.

In his last fight on February 14 this year, Parra was cut on his left eye in the 2nd round of a scheduled ten round bout against Maximino Flores with the bout declared a “no contest.”

http://philboxing.com/news/story-104423.html

Jason Pagara / Photo by Ryan Songalia –

DAVAO, Philippines – Filipino junior welterweight Jason Pagara capped the “Pinoy Pride 29″ card at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym with a second-round blowout win over Cesar Chavez.

Pagara (35-2, 22 knockouts) dropped Chavez (24-8, 12 KOs) twice in the first round and once more in the second before referee Bruce McTavish stopped it at the 1:56 mark, sending Chavez to his eighth loss, all by knockout.

Pagara dropped Chavez early in the fight with a left hook to the body. With a knee on the canvas, Chavez took another hard right hand that gave him a good reason to stay down.

Chavez rose up, living up to his nickname “El Dolar,” which he says was given to him because he goes up and down like the foreign exchange rate. He was dropped again later in the round on a flurry of punches, perhaps feeling overwhelmed. The final knockdown in the next stanza came off of a lunging left hook from Pagara.

With the Sinaloa, Mexico, native down on the canvas and holding his right eye, the referee saw no reason to continue the bout.

“I’m ready for the next level,” said the Cagayan de Oro, Philippines, native Pagara, who has now won eight straight since his upset loss to Rosbel Montoya in 2011.

With virtually no domestic fighters in his weight class, Pagara’s opposition has been questionable at times. He says he wants to test himself against more formidable opposition, namely RING junior welterweight champion Danny Garcia and former 140-pound unified champion Amir Khan.

Pagara’s promoter, Michael Aldegeur of ALA Boxing, says the plan is to relocate Pagara to the United States this year to train in the Los Angeles area, where he can find the necessary sparring to improve.

Aldegeur says Pagara will fight on the company’s first U.S. card in San Diego on May 23 before having a step-up fight at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., in September.

“Jason has always been someone who has been in question,” said Aldegeur. “People ask if he’s the real deal. When he comes up and fights some of the big names, that’s when we’ll be able to get some real answers.”

Pagara’s trainer, Edito Villamor, doesn’t put much stock into Chavez’s past shortcomings, however. He feels Pagara had a job to do it and accomplished it early.

“We don’t base off of the record. Mexicans are Mexican fighters. He got hit,” said Villamor.

 Servania scores lackluster win

If Pagara’s opponent brought out the best in him, Juan Luis Hernandez brought out the worst in Genesis Servania. For twelve rounds, Servania chased after the Tijuana, Mexico, resident in a fight that drew boos from the crowd on several occasions.

The 23-year-old Servania, who is currently rated the No. 1 contender to WBO junior featherweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux (who also holds the RING and WBA belts), was unable to keep his three-fight knockout streak alive as Hernandez came to survive.

Servania (26-0, 11 KOs) started the bout strongly, landing effective left hooks to the body. His jab was absent for long stretches of the bout, however, and at times Servania left himself open for Hernandez’s counterpunches.

The fight seemed on the verge of becoming an all-out brawl in Round 10 when a left hook and a right hand turned Hernandez (17-4-1, 9 KOs) along the ropes. As Servania went to capitalize, Hernandez took chances to counter. Both fighters traded blows until the final bell.

“The opponent is not fighting. He kept running, he was on survival mode,” said Villamor of Servania,rated No. 4 by THE RING at 122 pounds, afterward. “Genesis’ performance was good; his opponent was the problem.”

 Villanueva outguns former champ Miranda

Arthur Villanueva rejuvenated his image as a future contender with a one-sided drubbing of faded former WBO flyweight champion Julio Cesar Miranda in a ten-round junior bantamweight fight. Two judges saw it for Villanueva by the score 98-93 while the third scored it 99-91.

Villanueva (27-0, 14 KOs), who is rated No. 6 by THE RING at 115 pounds, controlled the bout early, digging hooks and straight rights to Miranda’s midsection that slowed the 34-year-old down later on.

Despite being clearly shopworn, Miranda (38-12-2, 29 KOs) remained tough and tricky throughout, switching stances and throwing punches from awkward angles that found their way around Villanueva’s guard.

There were no knockdowns in the bout and Miranda eventually adapted to Villanueva’s power to coast to his inevitable defeat.

The win provides a much-needed boost for Villanueva after flat performances in his last two bouts against Fernando Aguilar and Henry Maldonado.

“I never mind that before,” said Villanueva, when asked if his confidence was affecting by those outings. “I only focused for my fight with Miranda.”

Miranda, who won a flyweight title in 2010 and made three defenses before losing it in a close bout with Brian Viloria, has now lost six of his last nine bouts, with one draw.

Earlier in the night, 19-year-old Mark Magsayo (10-0, 8 KOs) of Tagbilaran City scored a fifth-round technical knockout of Thai Sukkasem Kietyongyuth (13-4, 8 KOs) at the 2:19 mark in a ten-round featherweight bout.

Magsayo set the first knockdown up with a left hook to the body-left uppercut to the chin sequence which blinded Kietyongyuth to the right hand that followed up. The Thai rose up quickly but was met by a two-fisted barrage from Magsayo, who pounded the body to set up bigger punches up top.

As Kietyongyuth retreated to the ropes, Magsayo uncorked an overhand right that sent the Thai head-first out of the ring. The referee immediately stopped the fight without a count.

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/380429-jason-pagara-arthur-villanueva-genesis-servania-win-in-philippines

MANILA, Philippines – RING and WBO  junior flyweight champion Donnie Nietes will defend his titles against Luis Ceja on March 28 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Philippines, Nietes’ promoter told RingTV.com.

Nietes (34-1-4, 20 knockouts) of Bacolod City, Philippines, has made six defenses of the WBO belt since moving up in weight in 2011, and knocked out Moises Fuentes in May of 2014 to gain lineal recognition.

Ceja (26-5-3, 21 knockouts) of Tlalnepantla, Mexico, has won two straight after a period between 2012 and 2014 where he lost four of his six bouts. Despite Ceja’s inconsistencies, Nietes’ promoter Michael Aldegeur of ALA Boxing feels the 24-year-old is a worthy challenger for the 32-year-old champion.

“We got the contract yesterday (Saturday) so that’s confirmed already,” said Aldegeur. “We’ve heard a lot about [Ceja], he can punch. I think it’s something that we feel would be a good fight for Donnie. He’s a Mexican and a lot of people want to watch a Mexican and a Filipino fighting.”

The bout would be a final voluntary defense before Nietes faces former WBO strawweight titleholder Francisco Rodriguez Jr. in a mandatory defense. Rodriguez (17-2-1, 11 KOs) avenged an earlier draw with Filipino boxer Jomar Fajardo over the weekend, dropping him once en route to a unanimous decision.

Aldegeur says a fight between Nietes and Rodriguez could take place in June, with negotiations likely to begin this coming week.

Also appearing on the card will be former four-division champion Nonito Donaire, who will be returning to the ring for the first time since his knockout loss to Nicholas Walters. Aldegeur says “we have some names coming up” but no opponent has been settled upon.

The fight will be Donaire’s first in his country of birth since 2009, when he knocked out Raul Martinez in four rounds.

http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/379585-donnie-nietes-to-face-luis-ceja-on-march-28

By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

Fight fans can get a glimpse into the first major promotion outside the Philippines of the famed ALA Promotions as they team up with the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN and its widely watched global network TFC or The Filipino Channel when Viva Sports features the “Duel in Dubai” on its top-rated weekly boxing show “The Main Event” on PBO over Sky Cable at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday with a replay at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday.

The fight card features three of ALA Gym’s most exciting fighters led by nundefeated WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight champion Genesis “Azukal” Servania, charismatic junior lightweight Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista hot on the comeback trail and undefeated King Arthur Villanueva against tough and tested opponents from Mexico and Nicaragua, known hotbeds of boxing in Latin America.

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said the “Duel in Dubai” promises to be a deadly battle that is expected to thrill the large community of Filipinos in the United Arab Emirates.

The special will feature brief interviews with the ALA fighters, short training clips and highlights of some of their fights and those of their opponents.

Servania’s opponent Jose “Matador” Cabrera has fought some of the big names including WBO super flyweight champion Omar Andres Narvaez and WBC champion Tomas Rojas.

Highlights of the Cabrera-Narvaez fight and the WBO super flyweight clash between Cabrera and unbeaten Daniel “Bad Boy” Rosas which ended in a split draw will highlight the special which will also include glimpses of Servania’s fights against former WBA super flyweight champion Alexander Munoz and his 2nd round TKO of Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion of Panama.

Bautista faces one of the toughest opponents in his comeback bid in the person of WBC Mundo Hispano champion Jose Juan “Piquet” Martinez who has an awesome record of 15 knockouts in 19 wins with only one defeat.

Fight fans will get to see highlights of Martinez’ thrilling battle with Carlos “Torito” Jimenz and Nicaragua’s WBO Fedbol super flyweight champion Henry “El Crespo” Maldonado in action against Fernando Aguilar and Liborio Solis.

Short training footage of Maldonado who clashes with King Arthur Villanueva will also spice up the special.

The fights will be telecast by ABS-CBN on Saturday, September 6.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-98376.html

By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

Mexico’s mandatory challenger for the WBO light flyweight title of Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, Moises Fuentes, arrived yesterday a full ten days before his scheduled rematch which promises to be an all-out war.

Fuentes who arrived with trainer Julio Barrera, brother of Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera looked “really good, ripped and ready” according to ALA Promotions vice president Dennis Canete.

Fuentes and his supporters including Marco Antonio Barrera in whose gym he trains, expressed their displeasure over the majority draw that enabled Nietes to retain his title in their first clash and have vowed to avenge that setback in which American judges Adalaide Byrd and Pat Russel scored the fight a 114-114 draw while Filipino judge Danrex Tapdasan whose assignment the Fuentes camp initially objected to, had Nietes the winner 115-113.

Nietes himself was not satisfied with the decision and is determined to erase any doubts as to who is indeed the champion.

He has trained harder than ever before for the much-awaited showdown at the Mall of Asia Arena on May 10 and has vowed not to make the same mistakes he made in their first fight by getting drawn into a brawl with Fuentes who likes to drive his opponent against the ropes and throw flurries  to the body and head.

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that if Nietes only sticks to the gameplan he should have no trouble overcoming the challenge of Fuentes.

Nietes who is chasing the record of the late Gabriel “Flash” Elorde who reigned as world junior lightweight champion for nearly seven-and-a-half- years trained in the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and also in San Diego and sparred with hard-hitting former world champion Giovanni Segura and American Matthew Villanueva.

Fuentes who has a record of 19-1-1 with 10 knockouts has won three bouts in a row since the Nietes title fight, scoring TKO victories over Luis De La Rosa who lost badly to IBF champion Johnreil Casimero and Omar Salado.

Nietes, on the other hand, is coming off a spectacular 3rd round TKO over former WBC Silver champion Sammy Gutierrez last November in a fight when Nietes dropped Gutierrez three times, twice in the opening round.

The “Pinoy Pride XXV” fight  card will be telecast by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN WITH 2012 “Fighter of the Year” Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire joining Atty. Ed Tolentino and this reporter on the television panel.

http://www.boxingscene.com/fuentes-arrives-early-determined-defeat-nietes–77285

By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

WBO light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, who clashes in a mandatory rematch against Mexico’s Moises Fuentes at the Mall of Asia Arena on May 10 has looked impressive in training.

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard  “Donnie is ready for this chance. It’s the biggest fight out there for Donnie. It will be a tough fight. I’ve never seen him work so hard – he trained in the US has a great conditioning coach now in Nick Curson and he’s ready to go.”

Aldeguer said Nietes who is chasing the record of the late junior lightweight champion Gabriel “Flash” Elorde who reigned as champion for almost seven-and-a-half years “ is really right up  there. This is a fight that is going to be defining is career. We are happy to bring it to the Philippines.”

He said Nietes “has to stick to the game plan. He has a good right – picks his punches” but was carried away in his first encounter with Fuentes when he “got into a brawl which is not his fight.”

Aldeguer disclosed that right now his trainers as well as Nietes  “are reviewing the tapes and looking at what he did right and what he did wrong”. He believes Nietes “has matured a lot. He knows that to make history this is the fight. If he wants to break the record of Flash Elorde this is the fight that will define him and his career.”

Nietes showed he had power when he dropped former WBC Silver champion Sammy Gutierrez three times en route to a 3rd round TKO at the  famed Araneta Coliseum and showed he has power.

Aldeguer noted that “early in his career Donnie was one of the biggest punchers we had in the stable and he then became a very calculating fighter. He knew how to win and became comfortable with that.”

Nietes understands that against Fuentes “ that he needs a convincing win and needs to dominate Fuentes and do the right things and I think he’s learned a lot. He is ready to go and it’s a fight for his life. And I think it wont be an easy fight  but I think it will define what Donnie really is.”

Aldeguer believes that if he followed the game plan in their first fight “he would have won easily. There is no question why he will not win” in the rematch.

http://www.boxingscene.com/nietes-aims-convincing-win-fuentes-rematch–77034

By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

WBO minimumweight champion Merlito “Tiger”Sabillo knows he won’t have an easy title defense against Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr in Monterrey, Mexico on Saturday in a fight to be telecast by ABS-CBN Sports and Action over the revamped Studio 23.

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told the Manila Standard that Sabillo watched tapes of Rodriguez’ fights “a number of times” and concedes “it won’t be an easy fight because Rodriguez can box, he is technical fighter who is smart and  can punch” as shown in his record of 9 knockouts in 13 wins with just two defeats.

Aldeguer said that he had spoken to trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor who will be in the corner of Sabillo and that he was informed “training has been perfect and it was the best training camp they ever had.”

Villamor told us that they have been concentrating on “the battle plan after watching tapes and doing some instructional punch-mitts.” He also went through the regular routine of skipping rope, shadow boxing., working om the speed ball and light bagging.”

In his strength and conditioning regimen Sabillo swam in the pool, some plyometrics, sprints, balancing and some exercises on his body to relax his muscles.”

He said they worked on the conditioning of the undefeated southpaw with strength and conditioning coach Nick Carson and that Sabillo who possesses a vicious left hook was in great shape.

Aldeguer said Sabillo, the 30 year old former street fighter from Bacolod City who is undefeated with a record of 23-0-1 with 12 knockouts “wants to make a statement and while it won’t be an easy fight Sabillo is ready to go.”

The ALA Promotions outfit didn’t take any chances and Aldeguer told us “ that’s why Merlito flew to the US to train abroad for this fight” both at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and in the Daniel Ponce De Leon gym .

He said Sabillo has been “tapering down in San Diego and getting ready for the fight.” He will be joined by ALA Promotions vice president Dennis Canete who left for the US on Saturday night and will join the team to Mexico.

Knowing how dangerous a challenger Rodriguez is, Aldeguer said thay have “two options and in case Sabillo loses there will be a rematch.”

He said “we have everything prepared and if he does well it will be good for his career.”

Sabillo is coming off a close split draw against undefeated Carlos Buitrago of Nicaragua at the Araneta Coliseum last November 30 after scoring a one-punch, 9th round  knockout with a thunderous left hook to the ribs against Colombia’s Jorlie Estrada.

The 20 year old Rodriguez won a 5th round technical decision over Ernesto Guerrero who suffered an apparent rib injury last January 18 after going down by a 7th round TKO to Roman Gonzalez, the undefeated WBA light flyweight champion from Nicaragua  on September 21 last year.

Rodriguez also had two big wins prior to the loss to Gonzales, scoring a 3rd round TKO over Manuel Chango” Vargas on January 26, 2013 and a 5th round TKO over Victor Ruiz on July 13.

 http://www.boxingscene.com/sabillo-expects-tough-title-defense-against-rodriguez–75723

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

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

Date:  Saturday, November 30, 2013

Title:  WBO Mini-Flyweight

Location: Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Promoter:  ALA Promotions/Michael Aldeguer

Supervisor:  Leon Panoncillo, Jr.

Referee:  Jack Reiss

Judges:  Levi Martinez (113-115); Joerg Milke (115-113); and Takeshi Shimakawa (114-114)

Result:  Was a split decision, Sabillo retained his title.  It was a competitive match.

Date:  November 30, 2013

Title:  WBO Jr. Flyweight Championship

Location:  Araneta Coliseum, Barangay Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Promoter: ALA Promotions/Michael Aldeguer

Supervisor:  Leon Panoncillo, Jr.

Referee:  Celestino Ruiz

Judges:  Danrex Tapdasan, Esq. ;  Jack Reiss; Levi Martinez

Result:  Nietes, knockouted Gutierrez in the third round at 2:58.

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