CEBUANO boxing fans are in for a once in a lifetime treat as ALA Promotions International with Top Rank Promotions and media giant ABS-CBN decided to bring here the world title defense of five division world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. on April 23 at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
ALA Promotions International CEO Michael Aldeguer made the big announcement yesterday during the final press conference of Pinoy Pride 35: Stars of the Future.
“We really wanted to show everyone especially the Cebuanos that Cebu is really the Mecca of boxing in Asia that’s why we are very thankful that Donaire’s fight will happen here,” Aldeguer told CDN.
Donaire Jr. will defend his WBO super bantamweight title against Hungarian Zsolt Bedak. Top Rank’s Bob Arum is expected to watch the fight.
The fight was originally slated at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Manila but was transferred at the CCSC which can accommodate up to 30,000 fans.
Two division world champion and reigning WBO light flyweight king Donnie “Ahas” Nietes was initially tapped to headline the CCSC fight in May but reportedly asked to defend his title in his native Bacolod City instead.