INDEED, time flies fast, especially when you?re busy watching fists fly.
It wasn?t too long ago when ALA promotions launched it?s Pinoy Pride series which ostensibly featured fighters in its roster.
Sometimes the cards were stacked, and there were also a several blockbuster humdingers. But there were a couple of misses too, with opponents brought in from abroad whose caliber was mediocre at best.
Say what you will about ALA Promotions, but it is has been the bedrock of local boxing the past decade.
While there are a lot of other well-intentioned and well-connected promoters, only ALA has shown consistency and persistence with an average of about 4-5 fight cards per year and ergo, it has almost singlehandedly carried the load.
USA. So I meet with approval and anticipation its decision to finally dip its fingers into the US market.
Appropriately launched at the posh Montebello Villa Hotel, Pinoy Pride 33 ?Filipinos contra Latinos? will be ALA Promotion?s inaugural presentation on October 17, 2015.
It?s the fistic equivalent of a big fish in a small pond, now transported into a deep ocean fraught equally with opportunity and peril.
This extravaganza has been contractually supported by TFC (The Filipino Channel) which is arguably the largest and most popular online hub of Pinoys in the US.
As aptly observed by my suave colleague Rico Navarro, most Filipino-Americans will lap up almost anything indigenous and local boxing is next in line.
The market and the demand is already there- all that ALA Promotions has to do, is provide a quality product.
I have no doubt that ALA promotions has the financial and logistical capacity to undertake this huge endeavor, but the question is, are its boxers ready?
OPPONENTS. Headlining the card will be the stable?s best fighter, Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes currently the country?s longest reigning world champion and the holder of the WBO light flyweight belt.
Also on the card are the Pagara brothers, Jason and Albert who are holders of regional title belts and the up-and- coming Mark Magsayo.
It?s a loaded gang, and by the looks of it, ALA seems bent on making a strong initial impression and has pulled out all the stops in making its US debut a memorable one.
Of course, much of that impact will depend on who will be the chosen opponents.
As of press time, there were no contracts signed yet, and so there were no names offered, but Nietes will be required to make a mandatory defense of his crown and so that will have to be against a top 10 ranked opponent, ensuring for a quality main event.
For years, popular as he is in our country and in Mexico, Nietes has toiled in virtual obscurity insofar as the US market is concerned.
Jason Pagara (36-2, 22KOs) and Albert (24-0, 17KOs) are fresh off impressive victories in Dubai and are both pleasing to watch as they love to bring the fight to their opponents. Ditto with ?Magnifico? Magsayo who is considered a blue-chip prospect.
The timing seems impeccable too, as on that very same night, compatriot Brian Viloria is set to finally duke it out with Roman Gonzales, in a super-fight for the WBC world flyweight crown.
The winner of that fight could potentially be Nietes? next opponent.
Now all that the ALA boys have to do is deliver.
LAST ROUND. It?s on Atty. Fermin Pepito who recently celebrated his birthday. Cheers!
