ALA Promotions - updates

Rappler's latest stories on ALA Promotions

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Nietes vs Reveco title defense set for LA, will open HBO broadcast

Jan 19, 2018 - 1:10 PM

Donnie Nietes will make his first appearance on HBO on February 24

BIG EXPOSURE. Donnie Nietes vs Juan Carlos Reveco will open the HBO Boxing After Dark broadcast. File photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

Milan Melindo vows to fight on: 'I can be world champion again'

Jan 04, 2018 - 7:30 AM

After some much needed rest, Melindo wants to begin his quest for a second world championship

END OF REIGN. Milan Melindo says it just wasn't his night when he lost to Ryoichi Taguchi, but isn't making excuses. Photo by Toru Yamanaka/AFP

IN PHOTOS: Brave Melindo loses decision to Taguchi in unification fight

Dec 31, 2017 - 10:42 PM

Milan Melindo loses his IBF title to WBA champion Ryoichi Taguchi in Japan

Taguchi outslugs Melindo to win bloody unification fight

Dec 31, 2017 - 9:13 PM

Ryoichi Taguchi wins a unanimous decision over Milan Melindo to unify the WBA and IBF junior flyweight titles

BLOODBATH. Milan Melindo suffered cuts over both eyes in a unanimous decision loss to Ryoichi Taguchi in Japan. Photo by Toru Yamanaka/AFP

Why the Melindo-Taguchi championship fight won't be shown live in PH

Dec 30, 2017 - 10:29 PM

Melindo vs Taguchi will be shown in the Philippines on January 2, two days after the fight takes place

UNIFICATION BOUT. Milan Melindo's title-winning fight wasn't shown live in the Philippines, and neither will his unification bout against Ryoichi Taguchi on New Year's Eve. Photo by Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP

Marlon Tapales makes ring return in March, may sign with ALA

Dec 30, 2017 - 8:51 PM

Tapales will face a Thai opponent in Australia on March 17

UNDER CONSIDERATION. The management of Marlon Tapales reveals they're considering an offer to sign with ALA Promotions. Photo by Alecs Ongcal/Rappler

Milan Melindo not worried about Taguchi’s height: It's boxing, not basketball

Dec 30, 2017 - 3:22 AM

Strategy, not height will determine the winner, says Melindo's trainer Edito Villamor

SHORTER CHAMPION. Milan Melindo stands 4 inches shorter than Ryoichi Taguchi, but has made a career out of beating taller foes. Photo from ALA Promotions' Facebook

Milan Melindo wants to become a boxing legend, starting with title unification

Dec 27, 2017 - 7:20 PM

Milan Melindo and Ryoichi Taguichi will unify the WBA and IBF titles, with Ring magazine's lineal championship on the line as well

UNIFICATION. Milan Melindo believes his opponent is a one-trick pony, saying Ryoichi Taguchi is "nothing" if he can stop his left hook to the body. Photo by Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP

Jason Pagara misses weight, loses by sixth-round TKO in Japan

Dec 19, 2017 - 9:28 PM

Jason Pagara weighs in two pounds over the 140-pound limit before getting stopped in 6 rounds by Hiroki Okada

KNOCKED OUT. Jason Pagara may be done as a world title contender after being stopped by Hiroki Okada in Japan. File photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

Jason Pagara faces make-or-break test against unbeaten Hiroki Okada

Oct 27, 2017 - 8:35 PM

Pagara will try to get back into contention after his disappointing draw against James Onyango in September

ON THE ROAD. Jason Pagara's promoter admits his fighter had lost focus and fallen out of shape over the past year, and hopes he can get back in gear against this unbeaten Japanese contender. Photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

IBF orders immediate rematch of Melindo vs Budler title fight

Oct 19, 2017 - 9:49 PM

Milan Melindo and Hekkie Budler are ordered to fight a rematch of their fight which took place September 16, 2017 in Cebu City

REMATCH. The IBF has ordered a rematch between Filipino boxer Milan Melindo and South Africa's Hekkie Budler, saying the actions of Melindo's cornermen during doctors exams were "inappropriate conduct which has affected the outcome of the fight." File photo by Gelo Litonjua

Arthur Villanueva to face bantamweight champ Luis Nery in non-title fight

Oct 18, 2017 - 4:14 PM

The Filipino boxer will face WBC bantamweight champ-in-limbo Luis Nery on November 4 in Tijuana, Mexico

OVERSEAS. Bago City's Arthur Villanueva will face one of the top bantamweights in the world in a non-title fight. Photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

Hard-punching Alvarado will be IBF champ Melindo's no. 1 contender

Oct 16, 2017 - 8:26 PM

Alvarado earns the number one ranking in the IBF by destroying Teeraphong Utaida, a fighter Melindo had gone the distance against

MANDATORY CHALLENGER. "Melindo should prepare. My heart beats to become champion," says Felix Alvarado. Photo from Alvarado's Facebook

ALA boss disappointed in Jason Pagara's 'way below par' performance

Sep 17, 2017 - 6:05 PM

Promoter Michael Aldeguer expresses concern over Jason Pagara's health after he took numerous punches in the late rounds of his draw against James Onyango

DISAPPOINTMENT. After struggling to a draw against an unknown Kenyan, promoter Michael Aldeguer says 'it’s going to be a disaster for him' if Jason Pagara fights a top contender. Photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

Bloodied Melindo retains title over Budler with heroic effort

Sep 16, 2017 - 11:43 PM

Milan Melindo scores a twelfth round knockdown and holds onto his IBF junior flyweight title by split decision

WARRIOR. Milan Melindo proves himself to be a blood and guts warrior in his win over Hekkie Budler. Photo by Gelo Litonjua

Hekkie Budler didn't fly to Cebu for a vacation

Sep 14, 2017 - 8:21 AM

Hekkie Budler who faces Milan Melindo this Saturday is intent on returning to South Africa with the IBF junior flyweight title

TITLE CHALLENGER. Hekkie Budler (L) and Colin Nathan (R) have a ton of respect for Milan Melindo but remain confident they can bring the title back to South Africa. Photo from Colin Nathan's Facebook

In Johnriel Casimero’s crosshairs: Sultan, Ancajas, then Srisaket

Sep 12, 2017 - 8:41 AM

Johnriel Casimero had to adjust his plans after his dream fight with Roman Gonzalez died on the vine Now he sets his ultimate goal on Gonzalez s conqueror Srisaket Sor Rungvisai

TITLE ELIMINATOR. Johnriel Casimero doesn't believe his opponent Jonas Sultan is a dangerous foe: "Maybe I am a dangerous fighter to him." File photo by Charles Salazar/Rappler

Casimero to face Sultan, setting stage for all-Filipino world title fight

Aug 04, 2017 - 4:56 PM

The winner will be the number one contender for IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas

ALL-FILIPINO ELIMINATOR. Two-division world champ Johnriel Casimero will face Jonas Sultan in a world title eliminator for the right to face IBF junior bantamweight champ Jerwin Ancajas. File photo by Alecs Ongcal/Rappler

Nietes to face Reveco-Nantapech winner in mandatory defense

Jul 30, 2017 - 11:05 AM

Donnie Nietes will make his first IBF flyweight title defense against the winner between Juan Carlos Reveco and Komgrich Nantapech

MANDATORY DEFENSE. Donnie Nietes will either defend his title in a rematch against Komgrich Nantapech, or face former WBA flyweight titleholder Juan Carlos Reveco. File photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

Waiting game for Jason Pagara

Jul 26, 2017 - 2:43 PM

Jason Pagara will fight on the Milan Melindo Hekki Budler card on September 16 but when he fights for a world championship is a matter to be decided

NUMBER ONE CONTENDER. Jason Pagara, the WBO's number one contender at 140 pounds, is waiting to make his move for a title belt. Photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

Melindo to make first title defense against ex-champ Budler

Jul 13, 2017 - 12:04 PM

Milan Melindo will face former 105 pound titleholder Hekkie Budler of South Africa in his first defense of the IBF junior flyweight title

FIRST DEFENSE. IBF junior flyweight champ Milan Melindo will face South Africa's Hekkie Budler on September 16 in Cebu City. File photos

ALA not interested in Pinoy vs Pinoy Melindo-Petalcorin title fight

May 24, 2017 - 7:15 PM

Petalcorin s promoter says he will petition the IBF to become the mandatory challenger if Melindo won t fight him

DOMESTIC RIVALRY. The camp of IBF junior flyweight champ Milan Melindo thinks Randy Petalcorin should fight for other belts, but Petalcorin's camp thinks Melindo wants "the easier path." File photos

Milan Melindo robbed of his crowning moment by TV delay

May 23, 2017 - 9:19 PM

Fans should have celebrated Milan Melindo s championship victory in the streets Instead they were left searching for live streams online

SHORTCHANGED. Milan Melindo's dream of becoming a world champion finally came true, but the fight was now shown in the Philippines as was first advertised by ABS-CBN. Photo by Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP

Melindo, Yaegashi make weight for IBF junior fly title fight

May 20, 2017 - 3:37 PM

The fight will not be shown on same day delay as previously announced

ON TARGET. Milan Melindo and Akira Yaegashi both weight 107.5 pounds ahead of their IBF junior flyweight title fight on Sunday in Japan. Contributed photo

‪Milan Melindo wants to erase past shortfalls with title win‬

May 17, 2017 - 8:21 AM

Melindo takes his title fight training to the extreme sparring 22 straight rounds at one point to prepare for Akira Yaegashi

Philippine boxing culture must change to bring excitement back

May 08, 2017 - 8:22 PM

Some view Filipino vs Filipino fights as taboo but domestic competition is needed to revive the languishing boxing scene

CULTURE SHOCK. While domestic rivalries have set the Mexico and British boxing scenes on fire, quality Filipino vs Filipino fights are rare. Photo by Alecs Ongcal/Rappler

Nietes outslugs Komgrich, wins third world title

Apr 29, 2017 - 10:52 PM

Donnie Nietes wins the IBF flyweight title joining Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire as the only Filipinos to win titles in 3 weight classes

HISTORY. Donnie Nietes overcomes a tough Thai fighter to win a world title in his third weight class. Photo by Darryl Mangubat/Rappler

LIVE BLOG: Donnie Nietes vs Komgrich Nantapech - IBF flyweight title fight

Apr 29, 2017 - 2:51 PM

Live updates from the Nietes Komgrich card in Cebu City beginning at 7 pm on Saturday April 29

Nietes strips naked to make weight for flyweight title fight

Apr 28, 2017 - 4:45 PM

Donnie Nietes weighs in slightly over at 112 4 pounds but returns to the scales nude to make the weight for his IBF flyweight title fight against Komgrich Nantapech

VACANT TITLE. Donnie Nietes says he saw fear in Komgrich Nantapech as they faced off at the weigh-in. Photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

Donnie Nietes: The legacy that could’ve been

Apr 27, 2017 - 10:39 PM

Donnie Nietes fights for a third world title this weekend but the question of why he hasn t fought bigger names plagues his legacy

QUIET CHAMPION. Donnie Nietes had hoped to fight big name champions Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez and Juan Francisco Estrada but the marquee fights have so far eluded the Filipino champion. Photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

ALA errs on the side of caution with Mark Magsayo

Apr 26, 2017 - 3:57 PM

Mark Magsayo feels ready to fight the best fighters at featherweight but his promoter feels he has a lot to learn

HOLDING PATTERN. Mark Magsayo is underwhelmed by his next opponent, but ALA Promotions has a reason for taking it slow with him. Photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

With 'Chocolatito' deposed, Nietes wants to unify at flyweight

Mar 29, 2017 - 1:37 PM

With the big names 3 pounds north at 115 pounds Donnie Nietes wants to get past Komgrich Nantapech and unify the flyweight titles

AHAS. Donnie Nietes didn't become a two-division champion by overlooking opponents, and doesn't plan to start against Komgrich Nantapech. Photo by Alecs Ongcal/Rappler

Jonas Sultan, road warrior and reluctant Zorro, set for Jaro showdown

Mar 17, 2017 - 2:05 PM

Sultan vs ex world champ Sonny Boy Jaro figures to be one of the best domestic fights of the year in the Philippines even if there s been relatively little hype on it

ZORRO. Jonas Sultan isn't one of the more celebrated boxers in the Philippines, but he's making his reputation by pulling off upsets over better-known fighters around the world. File photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

Nietes-Eaktawan set for April 29 in Cebu

Feb 18, 2017 - 3:38 PM

Donnie Nietes will have hometown advantage when he faces Eaktawan Krungthepthonburi for the vacant IBF flyweight title

TITLE FIGHT Donnie Nietes will try to become the third Filipino to win world titles in 3 divisions. Photo by Arvee Eco/Rappler

Villanueva faces Tete with world title shot at stake

Feb 10, 2017 - 8:43 PM

Arthur Villanueva will face Zolani Tete this April in Manchester with the winner to fight for the WBO bantamweight championship

KING ARTHUR. Arthur Villanueva will face a "complete fighter" in Zolani Tete with a world title shot at stake. File photo by Denmark Dolores/Rappler

Filipino boxer Jerusalem to challenge Menayothin for WBC belt

Jan 06, 2017 - 12:45 PM

Unbeaten prospect Melvin Jerusalem will face WBC minimumweight titleholder Wanheng Menayothin on January 25 in Thailand

TITLE CHALLENGER. Melvin Jerusalem will have the odds against him when he travels to Thailand to face WBC 105-pound titleholder Wanheng Menayothin. Photo from Jerusalem's Facebook

Pagara returns from KO loss with decision win over Ghanaian foe

Nov 26, 2016 - 11:04 PM

Albert Pagara returns to the win column after his knockout loss to Cesar Juarez winning a decision over Raymond Commey

COMEBACK. Albert Pagara returned to the ring for the first time since his knockout loss to Cesar Juarez, winning a unanimous decision in Cebu City. File photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

KJ Cataraja dreams big in school and the boxing ring

Nov 23, 2016 - 5:51 PM

Cataraja is a criminology student at the University of the Visayas by day and an undefeated pro boxer by night Poverty motivated him to pursue an ambitious life

Boxing: Mark Magsayo faces Mexican on Nietes-Sosa card

Aug 26, 2016 - 7:44 PM

The unbeaten Filipino boxer will face Ruben Garcia in his second fight in the United States

MAGNIFICO. Mark Magsayo says he has worked on tightening his defense after being knocked down for the first time in his last fight. File photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

Donnie Nietes vacates world title, will face Edgar Sosa at flyweight

Aug 04, 2016 - 2:55 AM

Donnie Nietes will face former champion Edgar Sosa in September as he seeks a title shot against unified flyweight champ Juan Estrada

NEW JOURNEY. Donnie Nietes will seek a world title in his third weight class as he moves to the flyweight division. Photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

Albert Pagara discharged from hospital after knockout loss

Jul 10, 2016 - 7:55 PM

All tests come back negative for serious injury after Albert Pagara was knocked out in 8 rounds by Cesar Juarez

DOING BETTER. Albert Pagara was stopped in 8 rounds by former title challenger Cesar Juarez. File photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

WATCH: Albert Pagara suffers knockout loss to Cesar Juarez

Jul 10, 2016 - 1:27 PM

Albert Pagara loses for the first time in his 27 fight career

UPSET. Albert Pagara was stopped in 8 rounds by former title challenger Cesar Juarez. File photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

Albert Pagara suffers first loss, gets stopped by Cesar Juarez in 8

Jul 10, 2016 - 11:58 AM

Albert Pagara drops Cesar Juarez in the first round but it s Cesar Juarez who has the last laugh

KNOCKOUT LOSS. Albert Pagara suffers the first defeat of his career against Cesar Juarez. File photo by Arvee Eco/Rappler

Albert Pagara is no Pacquiao wannabe

Jul 09, 2016 - 8:21 PM

Philippine boxing fans may be looking for the next Manny Pacquiao Albert Pagara is intent on being his own man

UNDEFEATED. Albert Pagara, seen firing a left hook at Yesner Talavera during his last fight in February, will face one of his most durable opponents to date in Cesar Juarez. File photo by Arvee Eco/Rappler

Nietes batters Garcia into submission for ninth title defense

May 28, 2016 - 10:39 PM

Donnie Nietes drops Raul Garcia twice before Garcia s corner throws in the towel after the fifth round in Bacolod City

STILL CHAMP. Donnie Nietes remains the top junior flyweight in the world following a dominant win over former champ Raul Garcia. Photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

Boxing: Nietes set for Garcia defense but wants 'big name' fights

May 26, 2016 - 9:00 AM

Donnie Nietes wants to fight unified flyweight champion Juan Estrada but must first get past Raul Garcia on Saturday and a third fight with Moises Fuentes

LONG-TIME CHAMP. Donnie Nietes, who has been a world champion since 2007, wants to move up in weight to face unified flyweight champ Juan Francisco Estrada. Photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

IN PHOTOS: Donaire, Bedak make weight for title clash

Apr 22, 2016 - 2:56 PM

Nonito Donaire and Zsolt Bedak both look fit and ready for their junior featherweight championship fight in Cebu

Both Donaire and Bedak were trim and ready. Photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

Donaire dedicates Bedak fight to dad, seeks KO win

Apr 22, 2016 - 11:34 AM

I am a warrior and I go out there with dignity and honor in destroying an opponent says Donaire Jr

Donaire, shown against Anthony Settoul in 2015, wants to score an impressive win to get back on the American TV radar. File photo by Anthony Wallace/AFP

Boxer Mark Magsayo: 'I want to follow the footsteps of Manny Pacquiao'

Apr 22, 2016 - 12:43 AM

Featherweight prospect Mark Magsayo hopes his fight with Chris Avalos this Saturday will be his springboard to international success and world titles

MAGNIFICO. Mark Magsayo hopes his fight with Chris Avalos leads him to bigger fights in the United States. Photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler

Jimmy Paypa downs Bernabe Concepcion, wins upset decision

Mar 13, 2016 - 12:22 PM

Jimmy Paypa fights the fight of his life outboxing Bernabe Concepcion for an upset decision win

FIGHT OF HIS LIFE. Jimmy Paypa outboxed and outworked Bernabe Concepcion for a split decision win in Pasig. Photo by Ryan Songalia/Rappler