A tale of three kings; Melindo cements ALA Boxing's status as breeding ground of champs

CEBU, Philippines - When he established the ALA Boxing Gym in 1986, Hall of Fame sportsman Antonio 'Bidoy' L. Aldeguer's goal is only to train kids from below average families to become amateur fighters.

As the years go by, what started as a small time gym metamorphosed into the Philippines’ biggest stable producing the country’s best amateur and professional champions in the ring. It's also the prime mover of world-class boxing entertainment here and abroad as reflected on the success of its Pinoy Pride series.

In retrospect, Aldeguer could only marvel at their accomplishments with silent pride as he did not expect all these things to happen.

But as the proverbial adage goes, 'you reap what you sow'.

After three decades of hard work, sacrifices and of course, heartaches, ALA Boxing has now minted three world champions to take pride of.

First on the list is Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes, who grinded through a 12-round unanimous decision victory over Thai Pornsawan Porpramook to grab the WBO minimumweight title on September 30, 2007 at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel & Casino. He became the first world title-holder to come out of the ALA Stable in two decades.

ALA Boxing got more glory and honor than that.

Nietes, once a janitor at the gym, went on to break the record of the great Gabriel 'Flash' Elorde as the longest reigning Filipino world boxing champion and eventually became a three-divison titlist on account for his most recent victory over Thai Komgrich Nantapech that crowned him as the new IBF flyweight king. He once held court in the WBO minimumweight and light flyweight divisions.

In between the stirring exploits of Nietes,  Merlito 'Tiger' Sabillo thrust ALA into the limelight after he knocked out Mexican Jorle Estrada to snare the WBO minimumweight crown on July 13, 2013 at the Solaire Resort Hotel and Casino in Pasay City. His reign though was shortlived after he was stopped by Francisco Rodriguez in his only second defense barely a year since he ascended into the throne.

Then came Milan 'El Metodico' Melindo.

After two failed attempts, Melindo personified fortitude to reach his childhood dream of becoming world champion. He set a shining example that if one will just perserve and have faith, anything is possible.

 And he did it in style.The fighting pride of Cagayan de Oro City floored defending Japanese champion Akira Yaegashi three times in succession to pull off a shocking TKO victory at 2:45 of the very first round and seize the IBF light flyweight belt last Sunday night at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, Japan.

Third time's a charm, indeed.

"I am very, very happy for him (Melindo). I can't say anything," said Aldeguer who was taken by complete surprise after learning of Melindo's obliteration of Yaegashi, a two-division titleholder.

On the heels of the coronation of its third 'king of the ring' coupled with the blockbuster success of its Pinoy Pride show, it seems that ALA Boxing  has nothing else to prove but Aldeguer said they still have a mission to do.

"We will continue to scout for talents and hopefully produce more Filipino world boxing champions. That would be our legacy," said Aldeguer. (FREEMAN)