Biggest event in Cebu boxing history: Two-time world champ Nietes eyes piece of history in Pinoy Pride 28 on Nov. 15
By Emmanuel B. Villaruel
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 09 Sep 2014
On the heels of their highly successful maiden overseas venture in Dubai, ALA Promotions International and its television partner ABS-CBN Sports have already set up the stage for another blockbuster show that is not only historical in nature but also promises to be the biggest spectacle in the history of Cebu boxing.
This as two-time world champion Nietes 'Ahas' Nietes heads the list of four elite fighters from Cebu's fabled ALA Boxing Gym who will headline the 28th installment of the extremly popular Pinoy Pride series calendared for November 15 at the Pacific grand ballroom of the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
"We want to hold it here in Cebu because this is a historical fight for him (Nietes). We will be putting up AJ Banal, Milan Melindo, and Albert Pagara in the same card so this could be very well the biggest event in the history of Cebu boxing," said ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael P. Aldeguer.
The 32-year-old Nietes is chasing after history as the longest reigning world boxing champion currently held the late Cebuano great Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, who held the world junior welterweight title for seven years and three months.
This September 30, it would be exactly seven years since Nietes ascended the WBO minimumweight throne with a 12-round unanimous decision victory over Thai Pornsawan Porpramook also at the Waterfront Hotel.
That means Nietes, who retained his WBO 108-pound belt with a splendid ninth round knockout of Mexican Moises Fuentes last May 10 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, is just three months shy of breaking Elorde's record and he could easily achieve that monumental feat with another win in his forthcoming defense of his WBO light flyweight crown against a still undetermined opponent.
"Nothing is definite right now but we're looking at a tough Latino opponent for Nietes as well as for the rest of the ALA boys fighting in the same card," said Aldeguer.
If victorious, Aldeguer said Nietes will voluntarily vacate his title to campaign in the flyweight division and go after a possible clash with WBO/WBA title-holder Juan Franciso Estrada of Mexico.
"That is what we have in our mind right now. But Nietes must take care of his next fight first for that to happen," said Aldeguer, who is still on a high after the 'Pinoy Pride 27: Duel in Dubai', their first ever international event, turned out to be a big hit last Friday night at the Dubai World Trade Center.
Emmanuel B. Villaruel is the Sports Editor of The Freeman, Cebu's oldest newspaper.
Photo: Team Nietes celebrates after Donnie knocks out Moises Fuentes of Mexico in Nietes' last title defense. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel B. Villaruel.
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