In 1985 a businessman established
a boxing promotion in Cebu province. Headquartered in Cebu City, the promotion
company, named after founder Antonio L. Aldeguer’s initials (ALA), quickly
became one of the prominent promotions in the Philippines to push Filipino
boxers into national, and international, spotlights. Champions such as Gerry Peñalosa
and more recently the likes of Donnie “Ahas” Nietes have trained at ALA Gyms
and boxed for the country under ALA Promotions. In a way ALA Boxing had become
a major feature in the local boxing landscape, which is why its announcement
that they are shutting down was a shocker.
According to CNN Philippines, ALA issued a statement regarding their closing of
operations this past Tuesday, August 18. The company explained that their
decision was imposed upon them by the one-two combination of a couple of
factors. One, their major media partner in broadcasting their boxing matches on
Philippine television has closed due to a non-renewal of license. To make
things worse, the COVID-19 pandemic pretty much made staging of boxing matches
with audiences a virtual impossibility. As a result, ALA Boxing has decided to
call it quits and is releasing all fighters under their stable, to help them
find other boxing promotions or managers that might take them in.
This marks the end of 35 years
that ALA Boxing has contributed to the development of competitive Filipino
boxing in their chain of gyms, and then pushing them to greatness against the
best opponents the world can offer in their boxing events organized by ALA
Promotions. The promotional arm has also had the privilege of collaborating
with overseas boxing labels such as Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank Boxing.
Their international events have been held in places as diverse as Sacramento,
California to Dubai, UAE.
ALA Boxing’s announcement, given
in the name of Antonio L. and son Michael Aldeguer, thanked their boxers and
staff in both gym and promotion departments, and their partner international organizations
for helping the company accomplish much for boxing in the country, "All
these memorable events and accomplishments would not have been possible without
all of you,” the statement said in conclusion. "We would like to thank you
all very much from the bottom of our hearts for all your support for the past
35 years. We cannot ask for more."
Image from Inquirer.net – Cebu Daily News
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