Golden Boy Promotions signs up 2 ALA fighters

In a landmark event for Philippine boxing history, US-based Golden Boy Promotions Inc. of five-time world champion Oscar de la Hoya forged a business partnership with Cebu's famed ALA Boxing Group under a common goal of scouting for talents whom they will promote in the US in an effort to discover another Manny Pacquiao.

The tie-up between the two promotional outfits was officially sealed through contract signing between Golden Boy Promotions vice president and matchmaker Eric Gomez and ALA top honcho Antonio "Bidoy" L. Aldeguer yesterday at the Sinulog 3 ballroom of the City Sports Club Cebu.

Witnessing the momentous affair were international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz of Golden Boy, international promoter Sammy Gello-ani of SGG Sports Promotions, WBO Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panuncillo, US agent Michael Koncz, and Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim.

Gomez declined to divulge the terms and conditions of the contract, but said it is a "very good and fair deal."



In fact, Aldeguer described it as "the simplest contract I've seen in my life."

As an offshot of the ground-breaking deal, Golden Boy Promotions signed up promotional contracts with ALA fighters Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista and Z "The Dream" Gorres.

This is the first time that Filipino fighters have been taken into the Golden Boy Promotions, which boasts of a slew of boxing stars in the likes of Shane Mosley, Winly Wright, Marco Antonio Barrera and Oscar Larios in its fold.

Bautista and Gorres will have their maiden ring appearance under the wings of Golden Boy Promotions on May 20 in the undercard of Barrera's WBC super featherweight title defense against Rocky Juarez at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

"I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Antonio Aldeguer and SGG Sports Promotions of Sammy Gello-ani for giving me this opportunity to work with them. It's really a pleasure we are joining forces in promoting future superstars in boxing. We will make sure they will become champions for the world to watch," said De la Hoya in a teleconference.

De la Hoya said they decided to venture in the Philippines as they firmly believe the future of boxing is here and in Mexico.

"The best warriors in the world today are Filipinos and Mexicans. What Manny Pacquiao demonstrated that he is the best in his class by beating Barrera and other great fighters made me realize we have to work with the Philippines. The future of boxing is the Philippines and Mexico," said de la Hoya.

De la Hoya said he would have loved to come over to Cebu, but couldn't make it as he is currently in Puerto Rico under heavy training for his May 6 fight against Ricardo Mayorga for the WBC super welterweight title at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"I'll make sure that one day I will be there in the Philippines and be with you guys," said De la Hoya.

Gomez, on the other hand, said their coming over to Cebu is not only about Bautista and Gorres as they have a lot in store for other Filipino talents aspiring to make it big in the US.

"It's not just about the two fighters. It's friendship we gonna start. It's a bond we're doing with SGG Sports Promotions and ALA Group. It's just a beginning of a partnership that's gonna up open the door, a wide door, to be able to bring Filipino fighters in the US to find the next Pacquiao," said Gomez.

"Manny Pacquiao deserved to be thanked for he has done a lot of things for Philippine boxing. He has opened the eyes of the world to Filipino boxers.

Gomez also confirmed the World Cup Boxing this June featuring world championship bouts pitting defending champions, Mexico, against the best warriors of the Philippines in a clash for national pride.

As part of the agreement, Gomez said they will be putting up big time promotions in the Philippines through SGG Promotions.

"This is a breakthrough in Philippine boxing. I'm very happy these things have been realized despite all the problems we've gone through in convincing the two to come over and see the potentials of our boxers," said Gello-ani.

Meanwhile, Gorres and Bautista assured they will strive and work hard so as not to fail the Golden Boy Promotions officials, who have full trust and confidence in their capabilities.

"I'm very thankful to the Lord that I'm now with Golden Boys Promotions. I will do my best to follow the footsteps of the very popular Manny Pacquiao," said Bautista, who hails from Candijay, Bohol.

"I will just work hard and give all my best not only to bring honor to the Philippines, but also not to let Golden Boy Promotions down," said the Mandaue City-native Gorres.