"IT'S SHOWTIME!" NIETES DEFENDS CROWN IN CALIFORNIA TODAY FOR 'PINOY PRIDE 33'
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 18 Oct 2015
CARSON, CA.--After all the saber-rattling and fight predictions, it's finally down to business for the fighters today as ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN put up "Pinoy Pride 33: Philippines Vs The World" in a historic fight card here at the Stub Hub Center.
This will be the first ever event promoted wholly by a Filipino promotional entity here in the United States, and the pressure builds up not just for organizers but the boxers seeing action as well to bring out the best in themselves in what could be the first of a series of events being put in the pipeline by organizers for next year.
"We've done our part, everybody has done his part, so its up for the boxers to deliver. We have chosen the best available fighters out there to face the ALA fighters, and although we hope for a sweep, we are ready for anything that will happen," ALA president and CEO Michael Aldeguer told the media fight after yesterday's weigh-in.
World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior flyweight champion Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes stakes his title as well as his Ring Magazine linear title on the line against 8th-ranked Juan 'Pinky' Alejo of Mexico in a 12-round rumble, marking the eighth time that he will defend the title after winning the diadem back in 2011 against another Mexican Ramon Garcia Hirales.
Sky Cable will telecast the fights free to viewers and will also be beamed to Nicaragua and on the widely watched TFC, the Filipino Channel.
ABS-CBN Sports & Action will also air the fights on a slightly delayed basis at 11:00 a.m. today while a replay is slated for ?Sunday?s Best? this evening.
The Murcia, Negros-born 33-year-old Nietes (36-1-4, 21 KO's) is the longest-reigning Filipino world champion, and is highly-regarded as a 'Mexican conqueror' being the only Filipino world champion to have defended successfully three times in Mexico.
The heavy-handed Alejo (21-3, 13 KO's) is coming off an impressive 21-fight winning streak in a 6-year period, and has vowed to take home the title to Mexico at the expense of Nietes.
Nietes and Alejo during Friday's weighin.
Hall of fame announcer Jimmy Lennon Jr takes the announcing chore of Pinoy Pride 33.
At yesterday's official weigh-in announced by Jimmy Lennon, Jr, Nietes came in at 107.8 lbs, while Alejo tipped the scales at 107.4 lbs in advance of their title showdown today.
Appointed as third man on the ring for the fight is Raul Caiz, Jr and when the fights goes the distance, tasked to judge the fight are veteran judges Pat Russell, Lou Moret and Marshall Walker III while Richard De Cuir is the fight supervisor.
The chief support will feature unbeaten ALA fighter Albert 'Prince' Pagara defending his WBO Intercontinental Jr. Featherweight title against Nicaraguan William 'Chirizo' Gonzalez over 12 rounds.
Pagara, undefeated in 24 fights and described by many as a future star, checked in at 121.8 lbs while Gonzalez tipped the scales at 120.6 lbs during yesterday's official weigh-in.
Jason "El Nino" Pagara (36-2, 22 KO's), the WBO International superlightweight champion, goes up against Nicaraguan Santos "El Toro" Benavides (25-7-2, 19 KO's) in a non-title tenner. Both came at 143 lbs.
Hot prospect Mark 'Magnifico' Magsayo (11-0, 9 KO's), the IBF Youth featherweight champion, will defend his title against fellow unbeaten warrior Yardley Suarez (13-0, 8 KO's) of Mexico in a mouth-watering match-up of power-punchers.
Both Magsayo and Suarez checked in at 125.4 lbs at yesterday's official weigh-in.
The first bout pits California-based Filipino Bruno Escalante in a 6-round bout against Mexico's Nestor Ramos.
NOTES. Four more Pinoy Pride events are already being discussed for next year in the US, according to promoter Michael Aldeguer...Veteran ring official Marty Denkin is scheduled to receive an artwork at tonight's fight in appreciation of his years of service to boxing...Legendary ring announcer Jimmy Lennon was quoted as saying he had been following the activities of ALA Promotions since the start, and had a talk with Michael Aldeguer in Texas about possibly doing the shows. The rest, as they say, is history...
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Would OKC Still Win the West If Dallas Had Not Traded Doncic?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 27 Jun 2025Asenso Ozamis Open chess tournament on July 12 and 13
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 27 Jun 2025MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS’ JAKE PAUL VS. JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR. PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 27 Jun 2025Guro Dan Inosanto: Guardian of the Filipino Fighting Spirit
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 27 Jun 2025Weigh-In Results: Christian Mbilili vs. Maciej Sulecki
Fri, 27 Jun 2025Unbeaten Philippines Top Prospect Criztian Pitt Laurente Signs with Sanman Boxing
Fri, 27 Jun 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS SIGNS PROMISING AMERICAN HEAVYWEIGHT SARDIUS SIMMONS
Fri, 27 Jun 2025Madoka Wada Halts Chay Rivas in Tokyo, Retains OPBF Belt
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Jun 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: The Grand Prix a Grand Concept
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 26 Jun 2025PHOTOS: Pacquiao Showcases Vintage Form During Media Day Workout at Wildcard Gym
By Dong Secuya, Thu, 26 Jun 2025Press Conference Notes: Christian Mbilli & Maciej Sulecki Collide for Interim Super Middleweight World Title FRIDAY in Quebec City
Thu, 26 Jun 2025Rivas vs Wada: Battle for Women’s OPBF Supremacy Today in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 26 Jun 2025Mexican boxing icon Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez Respects Cuban fighters & rivalry
Thu, 26 Jun 2025Claressa Shields Partners with King Moore to Empower Detroit Youth with the “Follow Your Dreams” Program Presented by SMT Financial Partners
Thu, 26 Jun 2025Saturday’s title defense vs. Yuniel Dorticos could be prelude to mega-fight for Gilberto Ramirez against Jake Paul or Unification showdown with Jay Opetaia or Badou Jack
Wed, 25 Jun 2025