FORGET THE WORLD CUP, BAUTISTA-DE LEON IS WHAT'S NEEDED
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 29 May 2007
Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer agrees that a $2 million outlay for the planned Philippines-Mexico World Cup was “way too much” which is basically the same sentiments shared by esteemed boxing patron Tony Aldeguer and many others including giant broadcast network ABS-CBN.
Realistically, the attraction would be the WBO super bantamweight title fight between mandatory contender Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and Daniel Ponce De Leon who scored a controversial decision over former WBC super flyweight champion Gerry Penalosa in his last title defense.
Aldeguer has informed Golden Boy Promotions vice president and international matchmaker Eric Gomez that he wants to promote the Bautista-Ponce De Leon title showdown in the Philippines and was “willing to finance the promotion to include AJ “Bazooka” Banal" in the card.
Aldeguer correctly noted that a Ponce De Leon – Bautista fight would attract more fans than the “Moment of Truth” last February 24 at the Cebu City Sports Complex and would effectively create a “bigger impact and more importantly at a much lower cost.”
The position of Aldeguer who has the final say when it comes to the fighters of the famed ALA Gym comes in the wake of efforts by the WBO to push for the World Cup in the Philippines in order that the organization could also enhance its image, earn from the sanction fees and enjoy the renowned hospitality of their Filipino hosts with the local promoters footing the huge bill. There was also largescale negative reaction to the actions of referee Samuel Viruet and judges Raul Caiz and Chuck Giampa who scored the fight WBO super flyweight title fight for champion which Fernando Montiel despite the fact that Z "The Dream" Gorres have him a boxing lesson.
Golden Boy Promotions earlier indicated there were plans to stage the World Cup in Sacramento, California on August 21 with a fight card headlined by the Daniel Ponce De Leon-Bautista title fight and a WBO bantamweight championship bout between Penalosa and Jhonny Gonzalez. However, that may be put on hold while Golden Boy considers Aldeguer’s request to stage the fight in the Philippines.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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