Pinoy Pride goes to the United States

CEBU, Philippines -  ALA Promotions International and ABS-CBN Sports just kept on raising the bar of 'Pinoy Pride', both literally and figuratively.

In another milestone for Philippine boxing, Cebu's world-renowned promotional outfit and the giant television network will bring their highly successful boxing series to the United States on October 17.

ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer confirmed that no less than Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes, the longest reigning Filipino world boxing champion, will headline the historic fightcard that will be staged at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California.

"After almost five years of working on our US license, we are very excited to finally stage an event in the US, the boxing mecca of the world. It is not just for ALA but for Philippine boxing as it gives the chance for all the Filipino fighters around the world to be showcased in the US. With a Philippine-based company now having the capacity to promote in the US, it will surely open more doors for the Filipino fighters to be known worldwide without having to depend on American promoters," said Aldeguer.

The surefire blockbuster show billed as "Pinoy Pride 33:Filipinos Contra Latinos" will also feature the celebrated Pagara brothers, 'Prince' Albert and Jason 'El Niño', and rising star Mark 'Magnifico' Magsayo.

They all triumphed in their previous bouts.

The 33-year-old Nietes, who carries a 36-1-4 win-loss-draw record with 21 knockouts, came through a 12-round shutout decision over Francisco Rodriguez, Jr. to retain his WBO light flyweight title last July 11 at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

On that same card, Magsayo scored a smashing fifth round stoppage of Mexican Rafael Reyes to extend is undefeated streak to 11-0 dotted with 9KOs.

The Pagara siblings, on the other hand, pulled off contrasting wins in the 'Duel in Dubai 2' just last week at the Dubai World Trade Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Albert Pagara finished off his overweight Mexican challenger Jesus ‘Chito’ Rios in just two minutes to keep his IBF Intercontinental super bantamweight belt and at the same time stretch his unbeaten record to 24-0 now packed with 17KOs, while Jason Pagara, the reigning WBO International light welterweight champion, survived a cut on his left eyebrow caused by an accidental headbutt in the first round on the way to an eighth round technical decision victory over Mexico’s Ramiro Alcaraz.

ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN will formally launch their inaugural Pinoy Pride spectacle in the US this Monday afternoon at Montebello Villa Hotel.  (FREEMAN)