ALA Boy AJ Banal was supposed to fight in the undercard of the much-anticipated war of former pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Mexican world champion Juan Manuel Marquez on July 18 but it is now uncertain after the main event was postponed.
Mayweather?s comeback was postponed because the boxer suffered a rib injury while training and Golden Boy Promotions said on Sunday that it will be rescheduled.
However ALA Promotions, who is guiding Banal?s boxing career, will still continue with its initial plan for him to campaign in the US.
?In case the card is indeed postponed, we will talk to Golden Boy for another date. We hope he gets an opportunity to fight there. He needs to fight in the US. That?s really our plan for him,? ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said.
Aldeguer will be talking with Golden Boy Promotions? representatives this week and will be asking for another schedule for Banal.
Disappointed
?We hope he gets to fight in another card. There are other big events,? he said.
Banal was initially offered to fight in the undercard of the Mayweather-Marquez clash against World Boxing Organization super flyweight titleholder Jose Lopez but ALA Promotions declined the proposition because they believe Banal has already outgrown the 115-pound category and has a hard time making the weight.
Meanwhile, both Marquez and Mayweather said they were disappointed.
?I am extremely disappointed that this fight has to be postponed,? Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) said in a statement. ?I was training very hard and looking forward to getting back in the ring on July 18.?
Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs) said in a statement from his training camp in Mexico that he was also disappointed.
?I will remain focused, in shape and ready to fight whenever the fight is rescheduled for,? the lightweight champion said.
Details about Mayweather?s injury were not immediately available. Phone messages left by The Associated Press with Golden Boy and Mayweather?s promoters were not immediately returned on Sunday.
Melligen
On the other hand, ALA boy Mark Jason Melligen, has been tapering down his weight and is preparing for his third US battle against Mexican veteran Fabian Luque this Sunday in Texas.
?He has been doing well. He is gaining confidence in his sparring which is helping him a lot. Roger Mayweather?s been supervising him and giving him tips,? said Aldeguer.
Melligen has been sparring with former world challenger Marcos Maidana, who has a 25-1 with 24 knockout fight record, at the Roger Mayweather?s Gym, where Mayweather Jr. is also training. (EKA/ with AP)
