Philippines vs. The World: National, personal honor on the line

CEBU, Philippines – More than the country's pride and honor, ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN's boxing event dubbed the "Philippines versus the World" on August 28 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino could also means a "make or break" for the protagonists.

WBC Youth Inter-Continental flyweight champion Milan Melindo faces OPBF No. 4 Jin-Man Jeon of Seoul Korea. Former WBC international featherweight titlist Rey "Boomboom" Bautista goes opposite Mexico's Alejandro "Zorrito" Barrera.

Ex-OPBF super bantamweight champion Jimrex Jaca faces Mexican fighter Pepino Cuevas Jr. while ex-IBF World minimumweight titlist Florante Condes battles Indonesia's Sofyan Effendi.

"We're looking forward to this event. This is the biggest that we have here since 'Moment of Truth' three years ago. This is part of ALA Promotions' target of bringing world class boxing to Cebu," ALA Promotion's president Michael Aldeguer said in a press conference at Sports Exchange Bar and Grill along Gen. Maxilom Avenue yesterday.

Milendo's next assignment puts his unblemished record on the line versus an opponent, whose style he is not familiar with.

Milendo so far has 21 wins with six coming way of knockout while Jin-Man has 13 wins, three losses and a draw.

For Bautista, his fight against Antonio Barrera's cousin and former sparring partner, Zorrito Barrera is his biggest test since his major injury and operation last year even as he had already fought and won in Dubai last April.

For Jaca, winning against Cuevas will be his way of gaining ALA's trust and confidence for him to get another chance to fight in the U.S, something he long wanting to have after all his misfortunes in the past. The upcoming fight will be his third of an initial four bout agreement he has with ALA Boxing Stable.

On the other hand, Florante Condes who was not in the presscon yesterday is also hopes to do all he can for him to redeem himself from its loss to Nkosinathi Joyi last year in South Africa.

The ALA Stable also recently hired a strength and conditioning coach in Pio Solon for Bautista, Melindo and the rest of their boxers.

Aldeguer said the advent of technology and scientific approach in sports has pushed them to hire a conditioning coach.

Bautista and Melindo are the first two boxers to be tested under this new approach on their training. So far, the two pro boxers both agree that the addition of a conditioning coach is really a big help for them.

Due to public demand, ALA Promotions also included Jun Intor of Mabinay, Negros Oriental against Bukidnon's Jaime Alin Jr. as a special attraction.

Four supporting bouts are also being added to spice up the action including former National amateur boxing champion Wilbeth Loberanis versus Bukidnon's Romulo Ramayan, GenSan's Marlon Alta against Japan's Naozumi Tsuchiyama and Tagbilaran's Pedro Balaba against Cagayan's Kotsky Ebalang. (THE FREEMAN)