Fight Note: Servania, Villanueva headline Pinoy Pride 27 in Dubai

I'm planning to attend ALA Promotion's Pinoy Pride 27 that will headline Genesis “Azukal” Servania and “King” Arthur Villanueva dubbed "Duel in Dubai". My idea to watch this fight live pops-up because Dubai is less than an hour away from Kuwait. And the fight falls on Friday at the Dubai International Convention Center. It's my day-off actually and besides, a close friend of mine, Michael Imperial, ask me if I can come to Dubai for this fight. I assume he could share his place for a couple of nights. But due to the high air-ticket rates in August; I decided to give it a pass.

Servania will face challenger Jose “Matador” Cabrera (22-4, 10 KO) of Mexico in the main event. And Villanueva (25-0, 14KOs) will fight Henry “El Crespo” Maldonado (18-3, 13 KO) of Nicaragua for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior bantamweight title. Rey ‘Boom Boom” Bautista clashes with Mexican Juan Jose “Piquet” Martinez for a non-title supporting bout.

This is the second fight being held in Dubai that featured Filipino fighters. The first time, was the first world title fight actually held in Dubai. Filipino hard-hitting Denver Cuello fought Xiong Zhao Zhong for Zhong's WBC minimumweight title. A fight that sidelined Cuello for more than a year now because of an injury he suffered from this fight. And the bad news, it was reported that he was not paid for this fight. You can read that story here: http://www.boxingscene.com/denver-cuello-not-paid-post-loss-drama-dubai--67179

However, for the Pinoy Pride 27, I'm sure the fighters will be well compensated as ALA Promotions is a very reputable boxing promotions spearheaded by Mr. Aldequer from Cebu. So, I'm urging my Kabayans' that leave in the cities of Emirates, like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Al Ain, Ajman, Ras al-Khaimah, Umm al-Quwain , Khor Fakkan and Dibba Al-Hisn to come to Dubai. And support this fight card in the same manner that we supported Team Azkals and concerts that has been held in the past, in Dubai. The success of this card will encourage ALA Promotions and other promoters to come to Dubai and provide world class boxing event in the future. This will enable to showcase our fighters to the world stage without necessarily travelling as far as the United States just to find international recognition. 

Other markets in boxing has started to open in huge success. Macau has been the alternate boxing venue for big cards of HBO and Top Rank. Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will be back in Macau for his fight on November against Chris Algieri. I'm optimistic that Dubai could be the next huge boxing venue apart from the boxing mecca, Las Vegas. I'm hopeful that before Pacquiao will call it quit in boxing for good; will have one of his fight to be held in Dubai. I'm hopeful of a Pacquiao-Khan in Dubai in the near future, or a Mayweather-Pacquiao in May 2015. Who knows? So to all boxing fans, not just boxing fans but to all the OFW's in the GCC, if you have the time, watch and support this fight card and for sure your weekend will be entertained with high quality world class boxing entertainment.