CEBU, Philippines - Driven by the tremendous success of the Pinoy Pride series, ALA Promotions aims to add breadth and new dimension to the mega-boxing event by holding a US Tour in the second half of the year.
Now on its 11th installment, ALA Promotions president Michael P. Aldeguer said he feels that it's high time to bring the Pinoy Pride into a higher level because of the positive effects they gained from the bigtime project they launched with ABS-CBN Sports two years ago.
"We're gaining ground because of the impact of Pinoy Pride and we want to bring it to the next level," said Aldeguer. "Our plan right now is to have a US Tour this second half of the year."
In testing the promotional waters of the United States, Aldeguer said they have chosen California as their pilot area because of the large Filipino community in there.
"We're going to hold it in California because of its huge Filipino populace. Boxing fans there are also the ones who keep on persuading us to bring Pinoy Pride there," said Aldeguer.
Aldeguer said they are also bent on putting up a major fight card once they already established themselves in the US.
"That is part of our plan but of course to achieve that, we have to tie up with a US promotional outfit," said Aldeguer. " I have already discussed that matter in a meeting with Top Rank officials a few days ago."
Top Rank, Inc. is owned Bob Arum, the promoter of pound-for-pound Manny Pacquiao.
Aldeguer, on the other hand, made it clear that while they bring Pinoy talents to fight abroad, their commitment to stage world-class boxing shows here remains.
"We will still be holding more title fights here this year. The good thing is that fans now understand boxing better, partly because we are bringing in quality fights," said Aldeguer.
Launched in 2010, the architects behind the Pinoy Pride series yearn to transform the Queen City of the South into the boxing capital of the world and home of highly entertaining fistic shows.
"If Las Vegas can do it, then why not us? If there's a will, there's a way. You just gonna have to raise the bar," said Aldeguer. (FREEMAN)