By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The three boxers from the famed ALA Gym are ready to take Dubai by storm in an exciting fight card that hopefully will pave the way for more big fights in this part of the world known for its architectural edifices reaching to the sky like the Khalifa 164 storey building which is the tallest in the world and a maze of construction that simply boggles the mind.
The three fighters led by WBO No.1 ranked Milan Melindo, former world title challenger Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and Bon Jovi Canillas are also reaching to move upwards in their careers in the continuing quest for more world titles for the Philippines to hopefully cushion the possible retirement of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao in the near future.
Melindo’s Colombian opponent Devis Perez got stranded in Bogota because of the volcanic ash that disrupted travel throughout Europe and was replaced at the last minute by Thailand's Komrit Twins Gym, nicknamed "The Boomer" who is a southpaw with a record of 15-3 with 11 knockouts.
Although Komrit was knocked out by power-punching AJ “Bazooka” Banal in 2007 the Thai fighter had previously beaten some worthy Filipino opponents including one time IBO champion Eric Barcelona in a Pan American Boxing Association title fight as well as Jun Talape and Jan Rey Verano.
At a press conference by KO Promotions hosted by Jack Towmafai at the beautiful Dusit Thani hotel on Wednesday, which was covered by the ABS-CBN broadcast network, who will telecast the fight card on a delayed basis , Melindo said he was ready to provide a sample of his skills and to justify his world ranking and give fight fans an exciting bout.
Melindo, according to Ala Promotions president Michael Aldeguer was disappointed that a planned title shot against Colombia’s Carlos Tamara in June didn’t push through as Tamara decided to take an easy fight against an Argentine challenger after winning thentitle in a stunning 12th round TKO over IBF champion Brian Viloria in Manila.
However Aldeguer said “we are hoping to get a world title shot foe him (Melindo) this year.”
Asked by local reporters about Pacquioao, Melindo said that Pacquiao was a tremendous influence on all Filipino boxers “because he is legend and we are proud of him.”
Bautista who returned to action last October after a one month layoff due to surgery on his left wrist and scored an impressive 7th round TKO over tough Indonesian Marangin Marbun ro win the WBC International interim title takes on Thailand’s Saichon Sotompitak in what should prove to be a solid test to see just how well Bautusta has recovered from his wrist problem.
Sichon is a 27 year old southpaw with a record of 10-1 with 5 knockouts and told the news conference he had “trained hard, am ready and will win” saying that the many Filipinos in Dubai who mobbed Bautista on his arrival are going to be disappointed on Friday.
Bautista replied he was going to knock out Saichon and take Dubai by storm. Because despite his injury “I am confident I can make it.”
Even as he praised Pacquiao for being “great” Bautista said he wants to emulate Pacquiao “that’s why I came back to boxing” after surgery. Bautista said he believes he too can make it big in boxing adding, “if he (Pacquiao) can make it, I can make it also.”
The third Filipino on the card which also features popular mixed martial arts is Larry “Bon Jovi” Canillas a smiling super bantamweight with a record of 9-2 with 8 knockouts .
Canillas promised to whip up a storm as he kicks off the fight night against Tanazania’s Fred Sayumi who has a record of 6-3-4 with 3 knockouts.
Promoter Towmafai will be staging his sixth major event here in Dubai and hopes to be able to help grow contact sports in the region. Most people here believe that Towmafai's amazing drive and energy and his vision for boxing is a welcome development even as Filipinos who make up a large segment of the workforce here are hoping this initial venture will signal the start of more fight cards featuring Filipinos.
