Philippines vs The Rest of the World Presscon Updates
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 23 Mar 2010
ALA Boxers Rey “BoomBoom” Bautista, Milan “Milenyo” Melindo, Jason Pagara and Larry “Bon Jovi” Canillas met the Cebu Sports Press Corps Tuesday as part of the formal launching of the April 9 Dubai fight card billed as “Philippines vs. The Rest of the World.”
ALA Promotions will be working hand in hand with KO Promotions for this sports event that would be unique in that part of the world. Dubai has hosted kickboxing events but not conventional boxing. Their sports fans are more enamoured with cricket and rugby. The event will be under the jurisdiction of the Dubai Sports council but it will include judges and referees from the Philippines.
Arniel Josua Armamento of KO Promotions said that Dubai hosts kickboxing every two months but they will rely on Filipino and British expats who are rabid boxing fans for the success of this boxing promotion.
During the press conference, Bautista said that his previously injured left wrist is okay. He said that it was actually his mother who did not want him to fight right away after he beat Marangin Marbun of Indonesia last October. BoomBoom has fought several times abroad but this will be his first appearance in the Middle East. Bautista will headline the Dubai fight card and he will face Saichon Sotornpitak of Thailand.
Melindo will defend his WBC Youth Intercontinental title against Devis Perez of Colombia. Melindo, who usually fights in the 105 to 108 lb weight categories, will be fighting at 112 lbs once again. He won the title last January against Anthony Villareal of the U.S.
ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer said that they will assess Melindo in this fight if he really belongs at flyweight or he will have to go back to jr. flyweight.
Melindo, together with Pagara and Canillas will be fighting abroad for the first time. Pagara will fight John Pigaru of Kenya while Canillas will fight Fred Sayumi of Tanzania.
Top photo (L-R): Trainer Edmund Villamor, Arniel Josua Armamento of KO Promotions, Rey Bautista, Milan Melindo, ALA President Michael Aldeguer, Larry Canillas and Jason Pagara posing during Tuesday afternoon's press conference announcing the 'Philippines vs Rest of the World' Dubai boxing event on April 9, 2010. Photo by Andrew Aseniero.
Arniel Josua Armamento (C) of KO Promotions speaks to the media as ALA President Michael Aldeguer (R) and Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista (L) listen during Tuesday afternoon's press conference announcing the 'Philippines vs Rest of the World' Dubai boxing event on April 9, 2010. Photo by Andrew Aseniero.
Bobby Pacquiao has been named as part of this fight card. The organizers are waiting for the blessing of his brother, WBO welterweight champ Manny Pacquiao. The organizers said that there is an open invitation for the Pacman to visit Dubai, all expenses paid plus shopping, courtesy of one of the scions of the Al Maktoum royal family.
There will still be kickboxing matches as part of the preliminary attractions. ABS-CBN will handle the live TV coverage.
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