Smart and ABC-5 tie up with ALA boxing group to bankroll "Bakbakan sa Sinulog" featuring Banal and Melindo

CEBU, Philippines - In an added boost to Cebu boxing fraternity, Smart Communications, Inc. and ABC-5 locked up a business deal with the ALA Promotions buoyed by a common desire of producing Pinoy world champions in the future.

The pact between the fabled ALA Stable and telecommunications giant was formally announced by ALA Promotions president Michael P. Aldeguer and Smart Sports marketing head and project director for special events Patrick “Pato” Gregorio in a press conference the other night at Sports Exchange Bar and Grill in Mango Square.

Gregorio said that when Smart hatched an extensive sports program last year, it only caters to amateur boxing but this time they decided to venture into the pro ranks because of some “investment opportunities.”

“When we started Smart Sports last year, our main concern is only amateur boxing. This time, we decided to support pro boxing because of some investment opportunities. And talking about pro boxing, the best is ALA,” said Gregorio.

As their initial project, Smart, ABC TV 5 Sports and ALA Promotions will jointly bankroll an explosive fight card billed as “Bakbakan sa Sinulog” to be headlined by ALA ring stars Milan Melindo and AJ “Bazooka” Banal on January 14 at the Pacific grand ballroom of Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

The Cagayan de Oro City-native Melindo (19-0, 5KOs) will take on American/Mexican Anthony Villareal (9-2, 4KOs) for the WBC Youth Intercontinental flyweight title, while Banal (20-1, 16) will slug it out with the dangerous Mexican warrior Cecilio Santos (24-11-3, 14KOs) in a 10-round super flyweight brawl.

Although the Sinulog card serves as their trial run, Gregorio said Smart, under the dynamic leadrship of business mogul Manny V. Pangilinan, looks forward to a long-term alliance with the ALA group.

“This is just the beginning. Expect more matches in the future. This is a trial run but we’re happy to tie-up with them,” assured Gregorio, adding that they want to make the event very special and memorable by donating its proceeds to the family of stricken Cebuano fighter Z “The Dream” Gorres.

Gorres is recovering very well after undergoing a brain surgery a month ago at the University Medical Center in Las Vegas.

“We want to make this a very special event. The proceeds will be donated to the family of Z Gorres. We want to help Gorres in our own humble way,” said Gregorio.

Aldeguer, for his part, said the ALA family is deeply honored to forge a partnership with the telecommunications empire.

“We’re very honored. I hope this will be the stepping stone to a better partnership ahead. We hope to have more fights in the future. This will benefit the Philippine boxing as a whole,” said Aldeguer.

Meanwhile, Gregorio said they will be sending four of RP’s best amateur boxers to spice up the

Sinulog fisticuffs, which will surely be an added treat for the Cebuanos and tourists as well in celebration of the so-called mother of all festivals in Cebu.   (FREEMAN NEWS)