"Filipino boxing, as of now, is very known to the world because of Manny Paquiao and we thank him for that...Yes, I think Manny won that first fight. And yes he can fight the same and have his hand raised in my opinion," stated world-class trainer Edito "Ala" Villamor, who talked about his work as a trainer and shared his thoughts on the upcoming April 12 rematch between undefeated WBO welterweight champion Timothy Bradley and multi-division world champion Manny Pacquiao. Check it out!
PC: How is everything going, Edito?
AV: We are great; together with our two world champions. They are the 2nd Filipino longest world champion and two-division world champion and current WBO jr. flyweight champion Donnie "AHAS" Nietes and the WBO minimum weight world champion Merlito "Tiger" Sabillo. We are now in the States preparing for big fights.
PC: You look like you can still lace them up and box a little bit. I know you train fighters, but do you still train?
AV: Sometimes I do.
PV: Tell us about some of your fighters who we should be on the lookout for?
AV: We have a lot of fighters to look for, namely Milan Melindo, Genesis Servania, Arthur Villanueva, Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista, AJ Banal, Jason Pagara, Albert Pagara, Rocky Fuentes, Roli Gasca Melvin Gumban, Mark Bernaldez, Jessel Mark Magsayo and many more. They are managed by sir ALA [Antonio L. Aldeguer] and promoted by Sir Michael Aldeguer. His son is the CEO and President of Ala Promotions.
PC: You run a very successful gym. Tell us a little bit about the ALA Boxing Gym.
AV: I'm the chief trainer of ALA Boxing Gym. My managers name, sir ALA, mean Antonio L. Aldeguer; that's his initials. I used Ala as my ring name when I was a fighter because he treated all his boxers like his sons.
PC: Was it difficult to make the transition from fighter to trainer or do you feel you made a pretty smooth transition?
AV: It's not difficult because you have lots of experience as a fighter. You know all of the in and outs. The difference is when you are a fighter, your nerves are done after the first round, but when you are a trainer, you're nervous from the first round until the last round.
PC: Your last fight as a professional was against Ricardo Lopez. What was it like going 8 rounds with Lopez, who is one of the best to ever do it?
AV: Yes, he was my last fight because I quit boxing after that fight because of my broken hand. And yes, he is one of the best and one of the greatest world champions ever.
PC: What did you take away from that fight?
AV: It was a great fight and I was fighting a legend and I'm proud of my achievements as a boxer. After that fight, I quit because of a broken hand, like I mentioned, but it was a great fight with Ricardo.
PC: What do you think of the Filipino boxing scene right now?
AV: Filipino boxing, as of now, is very known to the world because of Manny Paquiao and we thank him for that.
PC: Manny Pacquiao is obviously the biggest icon out of the Philippines right now, but in your opinion, who should we look out for? Who do you think will be his predecessor?
AV: As of now, I don't see anyone. He is one of a kind.
PC: By most accounts, people felt like Manny Pacquiao was robbed in his first fight against Timothy Bradley. Do you feel like he can fight the same fight in the rematch and have his hand raised or do you think he has to do something different?
AV: Yes, I think Manny won that first fight. And yes he can fight the same and have his hand raised in my opinion.
PC: What fights are you looking forward to this year?
AV: The fight that has to be made is Paquiao vs. Mayweather because that's the fight boxing fans want to see.
PC: Before I let you go, I have to ask, does any fighter out there remind you of yourself? Is there any little Ala Villamor clones out there?
AV: (Laughing) Maybe my two sons, but they are only 10 years old and 6 years old. It's a long way to go, but who knows.
PC: Thanks for your time. I wish you and your fighters the best of luck. Is there anything else you want to add before I let you go?
AV: On behalf of ALA Boxing Gym, thank you for your support, and to all boxing fans around the world, thank you for your support as well.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]