Pinoy pugs headline ALA Dubai card

GENESIS Servania and “King” Arthur Villanueva put their unbeaten records on the line and hope to come up with rousing victories to pay back their benefactor’s trust.

The two fighters headline an international fight card when they see action in a “Pinoy Pride” showcase at Dubai World Trade Center on Sept. 5, which marks the inaugural overseas promotional foray of ALA Promotions.

ALA CEO Michael Aldeguer did not have second thoughts at all in pushing for the two fighters to headline the Dubai card.

“Maraming salamat na binigyan niya (Aldeguer) kami ng pagkakataon na makalaban sa unang Pinoy Pride sa labas ng bansa (We want to thank Mr. Aldeguer for the chance to fight in the first Pinoy Pride outside of the country,” Servania said during a sendoff hosted by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports yesterday.

Villanueva, meanwhile, echoed Servania’s gratitude and also vowed to give it his all for a victory.

Both Villanueva and Servania have had international stints, but were never headliners like they will be in the 27th edition of the popular boxing series dubbed “Duel in Dubai.”

Servania (24-0, 10 KOs) will defend his WBO Inter-Continental super bantamweight crown against Mexican Jose Cabrera. Villanueva (25-0, 14 KOs) faces Nicaraguan Henry Maldonado for the IBF International junior bantamweight championship.