ALA boys ready for Dubai war Pacquiao gets invite from Arab emirate's Crown Prince to grace 'RP vs. Rest of the World' card

CEBU, Philippines - The ALA Boxing Gym stalwarts led by three-division regional champion Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista are all primed up for ring war in the desert through the “Philippines vs. The Rest of the World” fight card on April 9 at the Dubai Tennis Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Interestingly, it’s a first time in the annals of Philippine boxing that all five Filipino fighters set to strut their wares in the slambang show co-presented by ALA Promotions and KO Promotions will go up against foreign foes from different countries.

Arnel Joshua Armamento of KO Promotions unequivocally admitted that boxing is not that popular in Dubai, but he foresees its potential in market that is why they’re taking the initial step of introducing the sport in the Arab emirate that boasts of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.

“Boxing is not that really big (in Dubai). It’s a challenge for us to bring the sport in there because there’s a great potential in the market,” said Armamento during a press conference formally launching the event yesterday at The Nook of City Sports Club-Cebu.

Armamento noted though that the Arabs are slowly getting interested in boxing because of the overwhelming popularity of Filipino sports hero Manny Pacquiao that resonated on all corners of the globe.

“Because of Manny Pacquiao, the Arabs are slowly getting to know more about boxing. I believe there’s really a market in boxing in Dubai especially the Filipino community,” said Armamento, whose promotional outfit was also instrumental in bringing PBA games and major concerts featuring top Pinoy entertainers in Dubai.

In the main event of the six-nation extravaganza that will be telecast by ABS-CBN, Bautista (27-2, 20KOs) will slug it out Saichon Sotornpitak (10-1, 5KOs) of Thailand in a 10-round duel under the featherweight division.

During his return from a nine-month layoff, the 23-year-old Bautista was impressive, scoring a spectacular seventh round TKO of Marangin Marbun of Indonesia to clinch the interim WBC International featherweight crown on October 16 last year at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Prior to that, the Boholano warrior from the municipality of Candijay held the bantamweight and junior featherweight belts.

In the supporting main event, former WBO Asia-Pacific lightweight titlist Bobby Pacquiao, younger brother of the ultra popular Pacman, will go up against an Indonesia opponent that will be announced at the soonest possible time.

Armamento said that with the inclusion of Bobby in the card, Dubai Crown Prince Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum has invited Manny Pacquiao to grace the ground-breaking spectacle in the most populous of the seven emirates comprising UAE.

“The Crown Prince of Dubai has relayed that if ever Manny Pacquiao will accept his invitation, he will house Pacquiao at the Burj tower. Not only that, Pacquiao can also go shopping anywhere he likes,” said Armamento.

“But as of now I’m still waiting for the confirmation from Wakee Salud,” added Armamento, referring to Cebuano topnotch promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud, Pacquiao’s confidant and close associate.

In the equally-explosive undercards, rising ALA Stable stars Milan Melindo, Jason Pagara and Larry “Bon Jovi” Canillas are all raring to see action in the squared arena.

Melindo will defend his WBC Youth Intercontinental flyweight title against Devis Perez of Colombia, Pagara will trade bombs with John Gicharu of Kenya and Canillas will lock up horns with Fred Sayuni of Tanzania.   (FREEMAN NEWS)