A CLASS ACT DOWN SOUTH
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 02 Sep 2008
We have always enjoyed going around the Visayas and Mindanao covering the fights of promising youngsters all of whom are striving to emulate the incredible achievements of national treasure Manny Pacquiao for Viva Sports top-rated weekly boxing show, "The Main Event," which has for years been supported by our valued friends from Tanduay.
Of course some of our favorite fighters come from the famed ALA Gym of our esteemed friend Tony Aldeguer whose fine young son Michael has taken over handling the affairs of ALA Promotions and has so far done an excellent job.
The fights at the plush Waterfront Hotel last Saturday were remarkably satisfying because for one thing they proved that despite some of the habitual critics Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista proved his undoubted skill and punching power in a second round demolition of tough Mexican warrior Eden Marquez.
Bautista showed he had learned his lessons well after his shocking first round knockout at the hands of the menacing Daniel Ponce De Leon in a WBO title fight in August last year. Bautista showed maturity both in the ring and his conduct outside. What pleased us most was the huge reception he got from the fans who packed the venue. They obviously knew their boxing and continue to keep faith with this young man.
Donnie Nietes, the WBO minimum weight champion who successfully defended the title he won last September with a second round stoppage of Eddy Castro of Nicaragua doesn?t have the charisma and the bearing of Bautista but he surely has remarkable talent and can take on anyone in his division.
To us its always a pleasure to cover fights in Cebu and other cities down south because the people are so nice and they love boxing with a passion. Beyond that is the fact that there is a wealth of talent in the region and because of this the future , in many ways, remains assured.
The Cebu press must also be given credit for the manner in which they cover boxing events from day one. The stories in the local newspapers such as Sun Star and Freeman to mention just two, give the sport the kind of attention and the boxers the kind of recognition they richly deserve. Their work strikes us as a labor of love for boxing, the men who promote and the young men who display their skills and their fightinh hearts in the ring.
The wonderful family of Tony Aldeguer, the demeanor of his boxers and the whole aura of the ALA Gym make the task not just easier but decidedly enjoyable. And when the ALA Promotions TV partners turn out to be the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN without question the overall class is considerably enhanced.
On Sunday we were privileged to be one of the guests on the Pinoy Boxing show over dyHP Radio, hosted by two hardworking boxing judges, Salven Lagumbay and Ed Ligas. The champions were there ? Bautista and Nietes along with 16 year old lightweight find Jason Pagara, two fine trainers Edito "Ala" Villamor and Edmund Villamor and Tony Aldeguer.
It was something special for us since our first job when we came to the Philippines was with the Radio Mindanao Network?s Manila station dzHP, the Sound of the City owned by the late Henry Canoy, a quintessential Filipino broadcaster and his brother Rueben Canoy whose perspective of contemporary developments are as valid as they are profound.
The dyHP program which was swamped by scores of text messages was a fitting finale to a great weekend among a gathering of men who love boxing with a passion and two champions whose performance that night lifted the spirits and warmed the heart.
Top photo: Bautista's hands are being raised by Trainer Editor Villamor (L) and Referee Bruce McTavish after Bautista's knockout victory over Eden Marquez (R) of Mexico Saturday night at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino in Cebu City. Also at the stage to be at the awarding are WBO Vice-President Leon Panoncillo (L), Jr. and GAB Commissioner Angel Bautista (4th from left) .
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026