THREE YOUNG ALA PROSPECTS CONFIDENT AHEAD OF CLASHES WITH VETERANS
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 04 Feb 2016
CEBU CITY ? The trio of young prospects from the ALA Gym: Melvin 'Gringo' Jerusalem, Jeo 'Santino' Santisima and Elmo 'Bisdak' Traya vouch their confidence to face three grizzled veterans during the press launching of 'Pinoy Pride 35: Stars of the Future' at St. Mark's Hotel Wednesday scheduled on February 27 at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino here to be co-headlined by 'Prince' Albert Pagara and Mark 'Magnifico' Magsayo.
In what was described by ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer as a special and well-planned card, Jerusalem, 20, (8-0-0, 7KO) of Bukidnon, is slated to face former world champion Florante 'Little Pacquiao' Condes (27-9-1, 23KO) , Santisima, 19, (8-2-0, 7KO) of Masbate, will face formidable slugger Marco Demecillo (21-4-1, 16KO) and Traya, 19, (10-1-0, 8KO) of Mandaue City will take on Romeo Jakosalem (16-11-1, 6KO). All three fights are scheduled for 8 rounds.
?I will treat him just like my last opponent,? Jerusalem, who disposed 31-fight veteran Chris Omayao in the 2nd round in his last fight on Nov. 28, 2015, responded when asked what he thinks about facing former world champion Florante Condes. ?I'm very confident with our training so I will treat him just like any one of my opponents.?
For his part, Santisima, won his last six fights inside the distance, said that he will not run against Demecillo. ?This will be a give and take fight; an exciting fight. Thank you.?
Traya, who will be fighting in the junior lightweight division against Jakosalem, said ?I know my opponent, he's a former OPBF champion. I watched him when I was still in the amateurs. But I'm not afraid. I'm confident of myself because of the way we trained. I'll try to win by knockout.?
Top photo (L-R): Elmo Traya, Melvin Jerusalem and Jeo Santisima took time to pose during their public workout at the Insular Square Mall in Mandaue City on Jan. 30.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer (C) poses with the 'Pinoy Pride 35: Stars of the Future' cast during Wednesday's press conference at St. Mark's Hotel in Cebu City, from left, Elmo Traya, Jeo Santisima, Albert Pagara, Mark Magsayo, Kevin Jake Cataraja and Melvin Jerusalem.
This is the first time in an ALA event that young prospects in their stable have been matched with formidable veterans very early in their careers. Would this be the new approach of the promotions?
?There is always the question of when they are ready [to take the tough fights]. When is the right time?? Aldeguer said, who then explained that the level of fights these young fighters go through have changed. ?These [young] fighters have already been fighting established fighters from the Philippines.? And besides, Aldeguer reasoned out, ?We want to know [their level]. There is no reason of bringing them to the US, to the Middle East, if they have not been tested here.?
That question surely will be answered on February 27.
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