PINOY PRIDE 3 PRESSCON HIGHLIGHTS
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 17 Dec 2010
Cebu City - ALA Promotions formally launched their first big fight card for 2011 which will be headlined by the eagerly anticipated rematch between Rey ?BoomBoom? Bautista and Alejandro ?Zorrito? Barrera of Mexico. The January 29 bout will be held the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
Last August 28, Barrera matched Bautista punch for punch but suffered a cut on his left eyelid allowing BoomBoom to win by TKO in the 4th round. Fans went home dissatisfied with the outcome. Both parties agreed immediately to a return bout and a chance to settle matters once and for all.
?I am confident that I will win the rematch,? Bautista said. ?He managed to survive because he kept spitting his mouthpiece. I know I can knock him out. I want to win and give honor to the Philippines.?
Trainer Edmund Villamor said that they are already familiar with Barrera?s style. ?We have the necessary adjustments with BoomBoom. You will see improvements in his defense, when he uses his jab to set up his punches. He will study his opponent and focus on his game.?
Former WBC Silver flyweight titlist Edrin ?The Sting? Dapudong (20W-3L, 11 KO?s) will fight in the undercard against Sofyan Effendi (10W-10L-2D, 8 KO?s) of Indonesia. Dapudong will be first boxer from the Braveheart boxing club of North Cotabato who will fight in a major card of ALA Promotions. He lost his title by unanimous decision to Wilbert Uicab last September in Mexico.
Former No.Cotabato Gov.Manny Pinol has accepted and taken responsibility for the loss. The scratches on Dapudong?s arm also became a subject of controversy. ?I wrote a letter to the WBC because they should and must look into this matter to protect boxers and prevent this from happening again. If it was the ropes then they should make an effort to check the ropes before the fight. If it was the gloves, then they should check the gloves. Our complaint lead to the severance of our promotional agreement with Sampson Lewkowicz. But after the election, I had a meeting with my brothers and we decided to join ALA Promotions.?
?Cebu has serious boxing fans. They pay with their own money to watch the fights.? He added.
The Braveheart boxers fought in Cebu last year and made quite a stir. Dapudong for his part did not promise a knockout win and said they will just see what happens inside the ring.
Also seeing action is teenage lightweight sensation Jason Pagara (24W-1L, 13 KO?s) who will face Billy Sumba (18W-2L-1D,4 KO?s) of Indonesia. PABA Bantamweight champion Roli Gasca (14W-1L, 2 KO?s) will figure in a non-title bout against Joash Aperecio (7W-3L, 4 KO?s) of Cagayan de Oro.
Gasca won his title in a major upset in Thailand beating erstwhile WBA number 3 ranked contender Tabtimdaeng Na Rachawat by TKO in the 6th round last month.Pagara is due for a U.S. trip so he can train, spar and even fight with tougher Latino boxers.
Also seeing action is crowd favorite Jun ?Flash? Entor who will fight Albert Villacampa in a four rounder. Rey Melligen vs Robert Alcala and Zaldy Aroa vs Robert Awitin round up the undercards.
ALA Promotions Pres. Michael Aldeguer also has plans of tapping the Mindanao market and Metro Manila for future Pinoy Pride fight cards. Their company hopes to expand and become a major international player in boxing. ?If Vegas can do it, if Mexico can do it, Why can?t the Philippines do it?? Aldeguer said.
This month of January will have more exciting fight cards in Cebu but the one that has sportswriters drooling is the match-up between Larry ?Bon Jovi? Canillas and Rolando ?Smooth Operator? Magbanua of the Braveheart Boxing Club this January 15 at the I.T. Park.
(PHOTO ABOVE ? Gasca, Bautista, Pagara and Dapudong, , the presscon was held at the Cebu Sports Exchange Bar and Grill,photos by King Catriz)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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