By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista who is extremely popular among Filipinos in Dubai will  headline the ALA Promotions fight card scheduled in Dubai on August 29.

Two other promising ALA fighters, undefeated 23 year old super bantamweight Genesis Servania  (24-0,10 KO's) and 25 year old super flyweight "King Arthur" Villanueva who is also unbeaten with a record of 25-0 with 14 knockouts will see action on the fight card which is in cooperation with TFC, The Filipino Channel of the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN which has a tremendous following particularly in the Middle East with welcome support from Dubai Tourism.

The resounding success of the "Pinoy Pride" series highlighted by the night of knockouts in its 26th edition at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu has created a buzz among Filipino communities in the United Arab Emirates as well as foreigners living and working in the region.

The fights will be held at the Dubai World Trade Center. However, there is no word yet on the opponents.

Bautista who took an eleven month layoff amid talk of retirement following a disappointing twelve round split decision loss to Jose Ramirez of Mexico in which he llost his WBO International featherweight title on on April 20, 2013 felt the urge to return to the ring and scored an impressive twn round unanimous decision over another tough opponent in Sergio Villanueva on  May 10 this year at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Dubai venture will precede the first major event in the United States when ALA Promotions features WBO light flyweight champion Donnie "Ahas" Nietes in a title defense at the StubHub, formerly the Home Depot Center in California, in November.

Nietes who is on the threshold of surpassing the record of the late, great Gabriel "Flash" Elorde who reigned as world junior lightweight champion for  almost seven-and-a-half-years is likely to face a world rated Mexican opponent following Nietes' spectacular 9th round TKO victory over Interim champion and mandatory challenger Moises Fuentes.

WBA featherweight champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire has expressed interest in fighting alongside Nietes whom he described as "a tremendous fighter" on the same card since Manny Pacquiao's adviser Michael Koncz rejected Top Rank promoter Bob Arum's suggestion for Donaire be featured on the same card as Pacquiao in Macau on November 22.