PREPARATION FOR DONAIRE-BEDAK CARD IN CEBU IN FULL SWING
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 01 Apr 2016
CEBU CITY ? In what ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer described as the biggest fight card to be staged in Cebu yet, preparation for the highly anticipated April 23 Top Rank co-promoted boxing event at the Cebu City Sports Center featuring the WBO super bantamweight world title bout between Nonito Donaire Jr and Hungary's Zsolt Bedak is in full swing, this was learned during the formal press launching of the event held at the Cebu Marriott Hotel Friday.
Dubbed 'The Time Has Come: Donaire vs Bedak', the event, according Aldeguer, does not only mean the coming of Donaire but also means the time has come for Cebu to stage much bigger fights, now and in the future.
?Bob [Arum] has asked me why not put the card at the Araneta Coliseum where the Ali-Frazier fight was held years ago, I told him we should put it up in Cebu, the mecca of Philippine boxing, so he could see how passionate the Cebuano fans are who really understand the sport of boxing,? Aldeguer said. ?Hopefully this card will be a success so we could stage similar cards in the future,? Aldeguer added.
Aldeguer also confirmed that hall of fame promoter Arum will be coming to Cebu for the first time to grace the event together with WBO president Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel.
According to Aldeguer, the open air Cebu City Sports Center will be configured to seat 30,000 with prices ranging from P10,000 for the red carpet to P50 for the bleachers. ?We have seats for everyone, from class A to Z,? Aldeguer quipped. Tickets will be sold to the public starting April 4 but according to ALA Promotions marketing manager Chelna Locaylocay, a large chunk of available seats had already been reserved by early callers.
Aldeguer also informed that his office is in close coordination with the city government, who gave its full support, to make all the necessary arrangements as far as the traffic, street parking and security work smoothly on the day of the event. Aldeguer said that a separate press conference will be held next week where the city officials will discuss with the media these issues.
Michael Aleguer (L) and ABS-CBN's Peter Musngi.
Mark Magsayo (L) and Jason Pagara (R) pose during Friday's presscon at the Cebu Marriott Hotel in Cebu. Photo by Levi Deresas.
Rising featherweight prospect Mark 'Magnifico' Magsayo and WBO No. 1 rated super lightweight Jason 'El Ni?o' Pagara who will be featured on the undercard, were on hand during the press launching. Magsayo will face former world title challenger Chris Avalos of the United States for the WBO Continental America featherweight championship while Pagara will face Mexican Miguel Zamudio in a 10-round super lightweight bout.
Fighting in the main undercard is undefeated super featherweight Paul Fleming of Australia who will face Miguel Angel Gonzalez of Mexico.
Donaire, who is still in the US where he is training for this fight, will be arriving in Manila on Monday, April 4 and will be expected in Cebu the week of the fight together with all the visiting fighters.
Ticket outlets are at RD Pawnshops, Cebu City Sports Center, ALA GYM Banilad Town Center, Parkmall and Paseo Banawa, Ayala Center Cebu Concierge and Ticketworld (Online). Ticket prices are P10,000, P7,000, P6,000, P5,000, P4,000, P3,000, P2,000, P1,000, P500, P300, P100 and P50.
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