ONE OF the biggest boxing promotional outfits in the Philippines, ALA Promotions, takes a huge step this year as it is working on a partnership with US-based Top Rank and Manny Pacquiao?s MP Promotions.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer recently met Top Rank head Bob Arum and Pacquiao?s adviser Michael Koncz last Jan. 10 at the Makati Shangrila to talk about a possible partnership between the three boxing outfits to promote fights here and abroad.
?It was an official meeting but until we sign contracts, nothing is official yet as of the moment. It would definitely have a great impact to the sport of boxing in the Philippines and for the Filipino fans all over the world. If you think about Top Rank, the biggest promoter in the world, and having ALA and MP (Promotions) work together would be huge for Philippine boxing. We would definitely want to work with Top Rank and we are open to working with Manny Pacquiao and Mike Koncz at MP,? Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.
The discussion between the three parties revolved around the possibility of promoting fights in the Philippines and in the US, which means fighters under ALA Promotions could be featured in huge Top Rank events in the US.
?It will go both ways. ALA fighters fighting in the US together with Top Rank, and ALA Promotions co-promoting with Top Rank in the Philippines,? said Aldeguer.
Aldeguer also said that Arum was keen on showcasing two promising Filipino fighters, Milan Melindo and AJ Banal, in the US.
?To bring them to the States to fight in big shows for Top Rank,? said Aldeguer, referring to Arum?s plan of possibly bringing Melindo and Banal to fight in Top Rank shows in the US this year. ?The plan is for this year but we still have to discuss the details and put everything in writing but I hope to make it happen this year.?
Melindo and Banal are both highly-rated in the world in their respective divisions. Both are also an inch closer at possible cracks at a world title.
Melindo is rated No. 3 in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight rankings and Banal is ranked No. 1 in the WBO, and No. 3 in both the World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation as a bantamweight.
