IN MURCIA: DONNIE NIETES?ALA GYM OPENS
By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 23 Feb 2015
Aimed at providing a venue to enhance the boxing skills of future Filipino champions from Murcia, the Donnie Nietes-ALA Boxing gym officially opened last Saturday, February 21.
The simple opening ceremony turned outstanding with no less than the reigning WBO junior flyweight titlist and longest Filipino boxing champion Nietes gracing the event.
Speaking before the Murciahanons and their municipal officials witnessing the event, Nietes stressed that he never expected that this dream soon happened. ?I hope this gym will help the young boxers improve their talents and achieve their dreams. Though this facility isn?t fully complete but, I think this is a good start,? he said. ?I also appeal to those who will be using this facility and the equipment, please take good care of it for the next generation will still be able to use it,? he added.
Meanwhile, Antonio ?Tony? Aldeguer, ALA gym founder, acknowledged the efforts made by the municipal officials led by Mayor Andrew Montelibano and sports coordinator Elro Villarosa in realizing the creation of this boxing facility.
?I?ve been looking for place to put up a gym for underprivileged children. And, when Elro approached me to help them build a gym, we found this former stockroom. I told them to clean this place and that?s the time we will talk again. A week later, he sent me some photos. And, I was surprised. They didn?t just clean it but, they even painted it. So I brought some equipment for them to begin with,? Aldeguer said.
However, the ALA founder reminded government officials not to use the facility to push their interests instead, use as a venue to develop boxers so they get livelihood later on.
Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes interviewed by ABS-CBN Bacolod.
Inside the Donnie Nietes-ALA Boxing gym in Murcia.
PHOTOS BY ARCHIE ALIPALO.
?I also encourage parents to bring their children into sports ? particularly in boxing. No one knows, your children would be the next boxing champion like Nietes,? he said.
Moreover, Aldeguer also asked the municipality officials if they can also build a monument for Nietes at the public plaza. ?Nietes is an inspiration not only to the Murciahanons but, to the Filipinos. It?s hard to be a champion. But, it?s more difficult to defend your title. But, Nietes has the determination and the discipline ? and, now even surpassed the record of the late Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde being a champion for more than seven years,? he added.
Montelibano, earlier, said that the facility is not only limited for Murcia but, open to everyone who wish to use it. ?It?s a blessing to us and we will share it. Because, when a champion soon to rise from this gym, it will not only be a pride of Murcia but, the pride of Negros province and our country.?(WATCHMEN DAILY JOURNAL)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jerome S. Galunan Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME REMEMBERS CANASTOTA’S MANAGER / TRAINER / PROMOTER TONY GRAZIANO
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Catubig, Prado win Suy Foods Santa Run
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 15 Dec 2025Junior, Youth and Elite Divisions Awarded on Final Day of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Mon, 15 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Applauds Cebuana Lhuillier Ambassadors for Bronze Finish at SEA Games 2025
Mon, 15 Dec 2025NOEL MIKAELIAN DETHRONES BADOU JACK TO BECOME THE NEW WBC CRUISERWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 14 Dec 2025FM Alekhine Nouri tops Kamatyas chessfest
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 14 Dec 2025Dante Kirkman Dominates DePriest Johnson in Unanimous Victory at Fight Club OC
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Bantam and Intermediate Divisions Crowned on Day Five of 2025 USA Boxing National Championships
Sun, 14 Dec 2025Murat Gassiev Brutally Knocks Out Kubrat Pulev in Dubai
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 13 Dec 2025United States Air Force Paralegals: Law, Order, and Excellence
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR PACHECO VS SADJO IN STOCKTON
Sat, 13 Dec 2025OFFICIAL WEIGHTS FROM TODAY'S CHM: 2 REMATCH SEASON CEREMONIAL WEIGH-INS IN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES
Sat, 13 Dec 2025Donaire to fight Tsutsumi on December 17 in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Nesthy faces Indon legend
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 13 Dec 2025Bob Santos Joins Broadcast Team for Boxlab Promotions’ “Night of Champions XIII” During WBA’s 104th Annual Convention
Sat, 13 Dec 2025