by Tamas Pradarics, photos by Carlos Costa

ALA Promotions is targeting the next episode of it’s ”Pinoy Pride” series on this coming Saturday at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City, Philippines. The 42nd version of the show will be headlined by one of the promotion’s two world champions, Milan Melindo, who is scheduled to face South African Hekkie Bulder.

Melindo (36-2, 13 KOs) holds the IBF belt at light flyweight that he won with a shocking first round knockout against Akira Yaegashi in last May. Budler (31-2, 10 KOs) himself is a former champion who once held the WBA version of the strawweight title.

”Thank you for Hekkie’s camp in accepting this fight. Although this isn’t a mandatory fight, we chose to fight a formidable opponent in two division and a current world champion. He’s not an easy fighter to go against. We want to give a good fight, and since this is my first defense, we wanted to make a strong statement in facing one of the best in my division,” a concentrated Melindo told reporters during the final press conference before the bout.

The co-feature bout of the evening will be an interesting all-Filipino IBF elimination bout between former world titlist and No. 2 ranked Johnriel Casimero and young prospect and No. 8 rated Jonas Sultan to elevate the new mandatory challenger to champion and fellow countryman Jerwin Ancajas.

Casimero (24-3, 15 KOs) has held IBF belts at 108 and 112 pounds before moving up in weight this year to challenge a title in his third weight division.

”I can’t promise a KO win, but I have trained long and hard and my team has prepared completely. The fans will surely enjoy our fight on Saturday. Thank you, everyone, and thank you for this opportunity especially to ALA Promotions and all our supporters,” said Casimero.

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Sultan (13-3, 9 KOs) is a powerful up-and-comer who stepped up in competition December last year with a big knockout win over then IBF top 15-rated Makazole Tete in South Africa. He continued his rise this past May against former flyweight lineal champion Sonny Boy Jaro whom he stopped in eight frames.

”My team and I have studied Casimero’s fights and I’m confident we’re ready. I promise to give a good fight this Saturday and I hope there’ll be a lot of supporters who will be watching,” said the confident 25-year-old prospect.

Super lightweight challenger Jason Pagara, while continues his journey towards a world title bout, facing replacement opponent James Onyango (23-11-1, 19 KOs) in a scheduled ten-round tune-up bout. 29-year-old Pagara (40-2, 25 KOs) is currently ranked No. 3 by the WBO and he can easily be in line to fight for the vacant title once undisputed champ Terence Crawford announces his anticipated move to 147-pounds to challenge the best welterweights.

”With a veteran opponent, I’ll be sure not to let my guard down so we can put on a good fight for the fans who will be watching on Saturday. Thank you for all your support,” Pagara told to media members during the press conference.

Former world title challenger Arthur Villanueva is trying to get back to the winning column after a failed attempt to grab the WBO interim belt in his last outing against current bantamweight titleholder Zolani Tete this past April. Villanueva (30-2, 16 KOs) is rated No. 10 by the WBC at 118 pounds and will face three-time title challenger Raymundo Tabugon (31-6-1, 8 KOs) in a ten round matchup.

Young prospects Kevin Jake Cataraja, Virgel Vitor, Kenneth Paul Gentallan, and Jeno Macapobre will also be in action against separated opposition.

Michael Aldeguer, President and CEO of ALA Promotions simply called this his company’s most prominent event ever.

”This is a strong card headlined by two world champions in Melindo and Budler. [The winner of the Sultan-Casimero fight will be part of the first] all-Filipino world championship fight since 1952. Of course, we also have world rated welterweight Jason Pagara against veteran James Onyango of Kenya. This is something distinct with three world champions in an 8-bout card. We’ve never done anything like this. We look forward to seeing everyone come and enjoy the fight on Saturday. This is all for the fans.”

You can reach Tamas Pradarics at pradaricst@yahoo.com and follow him on Twitter @TomiPradarics.