CEBU CITY — Tony Aldeguer felt as if he won an Oscar Award yesterday. Oscar De La Hoya, that is.
In a breakthrough agreement, Aldeguer’s ALA Boxing Gym forged a tie-up with Dela Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, a move where Filipino boxers will be given the chance to nurture their careers and excel on American soil.
Represented here by vice-president Eric Gomez and matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz, formerly with the group of Murad Muhammad, which used to handle the affairs of Manny Pacquiao, Golden Boy Promotions assures Filipino fight fans that the contract is lucrative.
They, however, refused to divulge the details of the contract, owing to a confidentiality clause.
“You all need not worry. We will take care of your fighters,” added Gomez, who has known De La Hoya since their childhood days in East Los Angeles.
Even Aldeguer, who hasn’t signed a contract in 25 years, says so.
“It’s just a two-and-ahalf-page contract that has 10 entries. You would have thought a layman was the one who wrote the contract because it’s simple,” said Aldeguer.
For starters, Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista will engage in a 10-rounder against a foe yet to be named on May 20 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
What so special about the event?
Bautista’s fight will be underneath Marco Antonio Barrera’s defense of the World Boxing Council super-featherweight crown against Rocky Juarez.
The event at the Cebu Sports Club was highlighted by a teleconference call from Puerto Rico, where De La Hoya was doing his training in preparation for a fight on May 6 with Nicaraguan Ricardo Mayorga.
Said De La Hoya: “When Pacquiao knocked out Barrera (in Nov. 2003 in Texas), that made me decide (to bring in Filipino fighters to the US).
“We are forming an alliance with Tony Aldeguer and it is an honor and pleasure to work with the great people of Cebu and I can say that one day, I will come over there and meet all of you.”
Despite the fact that he was thousands of miles away, Dela Hoya’s presence was felt by those in attendance and his decision to call in from far, far away was seen as a sincere gesture although it was already 12:30 a.m. in Puerto Rico.
Aldeguer’s widely-recognized ALA Boxing Gym produced several world champions for the country that include Gerry Penalosa, brothers Malcolm and Noel Tunacao, Joma Gamboa and a slew of upcoming fighters like Rodel Mayol, Randy Suico and Yukka Gejon.
Also launched was the RP vs Mexico World Cup of Boxing which will happen in November.
A brainchild of Dela Hoya, the Boxing World Cup will pit the best fighters of two countries in a series of championship fights for the honor and prestige of being crowned the ultimate world champion.
At stake in the event, apart from the regular purse, is a 0,000 gold cup crafted by the world famous jeweler IceLink Watch.
The first outing of the World Cup happened in October of last year pitting Mexico versus Thailand. The intense six-fight competition saw Mexico dominating the Thais, 5-1.
Meanwhile, all is set for the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) superflyweight title fight tonight between Gorres and Waenpetch Chuwatana of Thailand.
The 12-round bout will be held at the Mandaue Sports and Cultural Complex in Mandaue City.
