Nietes, Donaire co-headline ALA card in March

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – There’s no stopping the ALA Promotions of Cebu from putting up one big card after another.

Even before Pinoy Pride 29 got underway here last night, there’s already the anticipation of the next show in March.

World champion Donnie Nietes and five-division titlist Nonito Donaire will headline the next ALA card on March 28 at the MOA Arena.

Dennis Canete, vice president of ALA Promotions, said they’ve finalized the details of the card, a double-headliner featuring Nietes and Donaire.

Nietes, now the longest-reigning Filipino boxing champion, will defend his WBO light-flyweight crown against Mexico’s Luis Ceja.

It will be Nietes’ sixth defense of the crown.

It marks the first fight for Nietes since he surpassed the long and distinguished record of the late Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, who reigned as world champion from 1960 to 1967.

Nietes surpassed Elorde’s record of seven years and three months last Dec. 31.

Donaire, on the other hand, will stage a comeback since losing to Jamaica’s Nicholas Walters last October in Carson City, California.

The 32-year-old Donaire was knocked out by the taller and bigger Jamaican in the sixth round and lost the WBA featherweight crown.

Donaire realized he doesn’t belong to the featherweight class and has decided to move back down to bantamweight class.

Up next for Donaire is Brazil’s William Prado. The Filipino will seek an impressive win that could put him back in the circle of champions.

Ala Promotions, led by the father-and-son tandem of Tony and Michael Aldeguer, is looking at Pinoy Pride presentations in the United States this year.

Jason Pagara, Arthur Villanueva and Genesis Servania were lined up against Mexican opponents at the USEP Gym late last night.