BANAL TOPS SANDUGO BOXING TODAY

TAGBILARAN CITY--Undefeated prospect Alex John Banal of the ALA Boxing Gym gets to unravel his true worth today as he takes on unbeaten Indonesian prospect Ali Rochmad in the 10-round main event topbilling the 'Battle of the Undefeated' card at the Island City Mall carpark here.

The 13-bout event, presented by SGG Sports Promotions and Mayor Dan Neri Lim, is part of the week-long Sandugo Festival celebration, and will be covered by top-rated boxing show 'Main Event' with no less than the Viva Hotbabes acting as roundcard girls.

As a special attraction, young Boholano prospect Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista is set to figure in a three-round exhibition bout against veteran Edwin Gastador. This will be Bautista's first ring appearance following a bout with flu which forced him to pull out of the July 2 Mano-A-Mano card at the Araneta Coliseum.

At yesterday's weigh-in supervised by GAB's Rolando Mendoza, Banal came in at 116 lbs, while Rochmad tipped the scales at 114 lbs.

More than the bragging rights, Banal is expected to go all-out in this fight as a win catapults him into the OPBF top 10, where Rochmad is rated no. 8 superflyweight. A win by Banal will also avenge the loss suffered by an uncle--Roselito Campana-- to Rochmad in 2004. A win by Rochmad, however, will put the Indonesian rungs higher in the rankings.

The showdown pits two prospects in Banal (7 wins, 0 loss, 1 draw, 6 KO's) and Rochmad (12 wins, 9 KO's).

In the chief support, RP no. junior fly Along Denoy takes on Alex Guevarra in a non-title tiff, while RP no. 1 superfly Robert Allanic goes up against Danilo Pena.

Hawaiian fighter Van Oscar Penovaroff, earlier slated to see action against Fernando Otic, was pulled out of the card following an injury suffered in his last fight. Set to replace him is the wild-swinging Boholano Villy Bullecer.

The rest of the card and their corresponding weights: Arnel Tadena (104.5 lbs) vs Rodel Lamela (104 lbs) Rey Caitom (104.5 lbs) vs Roel Lagonero (103 lbs); Danny Boy Bontilao (126 lbs) vs Jorge Dijos (125.25 lbs); Nic Banal (113 lbs) vs Ranie Pamatian (112.5 lbs); Frank Albia (112 lbs) vs Rey Richard Del Valle (113 lbs);Lito Jalnaiz (113 lbs) vs Charlie Lamela (111 lbs); Leon Maratas (123.5 lbs) vs Esmael Mala (123 lbs);Ricky Sismundo (116 lbs) vs Jun Merano (116.5 lbs)

Mark Jason Melliguen (146 lbs) vs David Pantaras (148 lbs)