Complete ‘Pinoy Pride 23’ cast revealed

CEBU, Philippines - The five pairs of Filipino and Latino boxers who will be feature in the 23rd edition of the Pinoy Pride series on November 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum was finally completed.

Dubbed as ‘Filipinos Kontra Latinos’, the surefire blockbuster card presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, will be spiced up by a double world championship bout featuring WBO light flyweight champion Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes and WBO minimumweight titlist Merlito ‘Tiger’ Sabillo

Nietes will risk his belt against Mexican toughie Sammy Gutierrez, while unbeaten Sabillo will go up against Nicaraguan challenger Carlos Buitrago.

Aside from Nietes and Sabillo, three other marquee fighters from the fabled ALA gym in junior welterweight prospect Jason ‘El Niño’ Pagara, former two-time world title challenger AJ ‘Bazooka’ Banal and Milan ‘El Metodico’ Melindo will also see action against three Latin foes.

Melindo,  who will make his first ring appearance since his heart-breaking unanimous decision loss to Mexican champion Juan Francisco Estrada in their WBO/WBA flyweight title match last July 27 in Macau, will face former Mexican world title-holder Jose Alfredo Rodriguez.

Meanwhile, former two-time world title challenger Banal will try to continue to redeem himself as he will be tested by Puerto Rican Lucian Gonzales. 

ALA Boxing Gym light welterweight prospect Pagara is also expected to show his boxing wares as he battle Vladimir Baez, a knockout artist from the Dominican Republic.  (FREEMAN)