Cebu City will host the biggest boxing match in the Philippines this year on April 23, with Nonito Donaire Jr. himself in the main event. The event, co-promoted by ALA Promotions and Top Rank promotions, is also expected to draw the who’s who in boxing like Manny Pacquiao and Bob Arum himself. Excited? Here are 9 things you need to know about the event.
1.) The fight itself.
This is Nonito Donaire Jr’s first title fight in Cebu and will be his first defense of the WBO super bantamweight title he won against Cesar Juarez.
2.) The champion.
The Filipino Flash is 36-3 with 23 KOs. He has won his last three fights, two by KOs, since losing the WBA super featherweight title to Nicholas Walters.
3.) The challenger.
Zsolt Bedak is 25-1 with only eight KOs. He has won his last 10 fights.
4.) Nonito’s edge in experience.
Aside from having more knockouts, Donaire has fought more quality opponents like Vic Darchinyan, Cesar Juarez and Jorge Arce. Bedak, on the other hand, got his 10-fight winning streak against boxers who had a combined record of 133 wins, 112 losses and 10 draws. His last three KOs were against Giorgi Gachechiladze (13-9-1), Ignac Kassai (13-28-2), and Michael Isaac Carrero (11-23-3).
5.) The venue.
This is the second time the Cebu City Sports Center will host a fight, the first one was the Z Gorres vs. Fernando Montiel match. (Montiel, of course, is another famous Donaire victim.) The ring will be in the football pitch, just beyond the rubber oval.
Check the highlights of Donaire’s second-round win over Montiel.
6.) Tickets.
The most expensive is P10,000 and includes cocktails and appetizers, while the cheapest is P50, for those willing to stand the entire fight.
Here’s the breakdown of the ticket prices.
VIP red carpet (ring side)–P10,000
VIP first row –P7,000
VIP second row–P6,000
VIP third row–P5,000
VIP fourth row–P4,000
VIP fifth row–P3,000
Gold seats–P2,000
silver seats–P1,000
grandstand gray–P750
grandstand red–P500
grandstand yellow-P300
grandstand green–P100
standing–P50.
7.) Where to buy the tickets.
Call these numbers (+632) 505 9513 (tap on numbers to call on our phone) and (+63) 936 994 1656. You may also get them at the ALA Promotions office, ALA Gyms in BTC, Banawa and Parkmall, Ayala Center Cebu concierge, Robinsons Fuente and online through Ticketworld (link not yet available).
8.) Parking.
CCSC has limited parking but there are a lot of options if you plan on bringing a car. During previous Azkals matches, fans parked behind the Cebu Normal University campus, while some chose to park at Robinsons Mall and walk to the venue. (It’s only a 10-minute walk away.)
9.) Complete fight card.
Aside from Donaire, two of the Philippines most exciting fighters Mark Magsayo and Jason Pagara will also see action, while Mexican Miguel Gonzales will be facing Paul Fleming for the WBC Continental America super featherweight crown.
Here’s the complete undercard.
Paul Fleming (21-0, 14KOs) vs. Miguel Gonzalez (22-7-1, 12KOs)
Mark Magsayo (13-0, 10KOs) vs. Chris Avalos (26-4, 19KOs)
Jason Pagara (37-2, 23 KOs)) vs. Miguel Zamudio (35-8-1, 21KOs)
Jeo Santisima (9-2, 8KOs) vs. Tabthong Tor Buamas (14-3, 12KOs)
Rocky Fuentes (36-8-2, 21KOs) vs. Romnick Magos (12-5, 7KOs)
Virgel Vitor (6-1, 3KOs) vs. Paulo Perono (3-8-1)
Junriel Jimenez (4-0) vs. Marlou Sandoval (8-0-2, 3KOs)
