ALA VILLAMOR GAINS MEASURE OF SELF-FULFILLMENT WITH NIETES WIN
By Emmanuel B. Villaruel
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 03 Oct 2007
Villamor (L) and Nietes.
The WBO minimumweight championship glory of Donnie "Ahas" Nietes did not only realize the longtime dream of ALA Boxing Gym top honcho Antonio "Bidoy" L. Aldeguer to have a world champion in his stable, but also gave a sense of fulfillment to ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor.
"Although I did not become a world champion, I'm happy and fulfilled now that we already have a world champion in our stable," said Villamor, who will turn 38 years old on October 18.
"Since my failure to give ALA Stable its first world champion, it has been a thorn on our side for years. I'm elated that Nietes did it for us. At least, the pressure is now gone for us. I hope this will be the start of better things to come at the ALA Gym," added the former two-time world challenger.
Villamor was considered as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters during his prime that is why he was baptized with a revered ring name 'ALA.' He is the only ward of Aldeguer to have gained such distinction.
Villamor, however, lost twice in his world title bid twice. First by seventh round TKO to Thai Ratanapol Sor Vorapin in their IBF minimumweight championship on June 27, 1993 at the National Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand and second by eight round KO to the unbeaten Mexican legend Ricardo Lopez in their WBC 105-pound title bout on March 16, 1996 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Villamor's frustrating defeat to Lopez aggravated by a serious hand injury prompted him to hang up his gloves for good that same year. He compiled a 29-2-1 win-loss-record adorned with 26KOs.
However, that did not extinguish Villamor's flaming love of the sport closest to his heart.
Driven by his ardent desire to produce a world boxing champion, Villamor made a written request to Aldeguer in 1999 that he be allowed to return to boxing, this time not as a fighter but as a trainer.
Sharing common passion for boxing, it did not take long for Aldeguer to respond on the affirmative.
The entry of the new millennium became Aldeguer and Villamor's launching pad to their ambition of molding a world title-holder from the ALA Gym.
Under the watchful eyes of Villamor, several ring talents came along in the likes of Rodel Mayol, Wyndel Janiola, Dindo Casta?ares, Bart Abapo, Airand Paspie, Z Gorres, Sherwin Paro, Reynaldo Tribu, Rocky Fuentes, Rollen del Castillo, Robert Allanic, Rey Bautista, Czar Amonsot, Donnie Nietes, and Alex John Banal.
After seven years of unequaled hardwork and unmatched dedication, three of ALA top guns - Gorres, Amonsot and Bautista - were given a world title shot. Unfortunately, none of them succeeded.
Gorres lost by controversial split decision to WBO super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel in the February 24 "Moment of Truth" card at the Cebu City Sports Center, Amonsot was beaten by the undefeated WBO lightweight titlist Michael Katsidis by unanimous decision last July 11 in Las Vegas, and Bautista was knocked out by WBO super bantamweight crown-holder Daniel Ponce de Leon in the Boxing World Cup last August 12 in Sacramento, California.
But there's always that proverbial light at the tunnel's end.
Last Sunday at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Brgy. Lahug, Nietes finally gave Aldeguer and his world-renowned ALA Stable their first world champion when he pulled off a 12-round unanimous decision win of the previously undefeated Thai KO artist Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym to snatch the WBO minimumweight title.
Nietes' win meant so much for the ALA family as well as the entire Filipino nation, which basked in the glow of an unprecedented four world boxing champions in a year. The rest are Florante Condes (IBF minimumweight), Nonito Donaire, Jr. (IBF/IBO flyweight), and Gerry Pe?alosa (WBO bantamweight).
"We're very thankful to Nietes because of his courage and fighting spirit to give the ALA Stable its first world champion," said Villamor. "We really can't describe our feelings. All of us are very happy of this dream come true for the ALA family."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel B. Villaruel.
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