Top PH boxers vie in ALA’s US card

DUBAI—The Philippines’ foremost boxing outfit will take its act to the United States in October, ALA Promotions International president-CEO Michael Aldeguer confirmed here Thursday.

Emboldened by the success of ALA’s two forays to this bustling metropolis, Aldeguer said everything is in place for ALA’s staging of  a fight card at StubHub Center in Carson, California, on Oct. 17.

The boxers to be featured have yet to be chosen, however.

Among the top candidates are brothers “Prince” Albert and Jason Pagara, the headliners of Pinoy Pride 32: Duel in Dubai 2 scheduled at the World Trade Center here Friday night (early Saturday in Manila).

Even before he traded punches with Jesus Rios, however, the younger Albert was already assured of retaining his International Boxing Federation intercontinental junior featherweight crown after the Mexican failed to make the 122-pound weight limit in Thursday’s official weigh-in.

Rios, who tipped the scales at 125.8 lb, could only bring his weight down to 123.8 after he was given two hours to sweat it out. He automatically forfeited his chance to win the title.

The unbeaten Albert (23-0) said he would still go for his 17th knockout win.

Aside from the Pagaras, also being considered by Aldeguer for the US fights is World Boxing Organization light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes, the longest reigning Filipino world champion, who has held the title for over seven years.

Nietes was at ringside in Dubai to provide support to the Pagaras.

Though Nietes, the pride of Murcia, Negros Occidental, wants to fight in Bacolod, there’s another offer for him to fight in Japan.

Having been granted a license to stage fights in the US, ALA Promotions will go full blast next year with four scheduled events, including a major promotion that will showcase the stars of the 48-man boxing stable.