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BANAL VS PEREZ HAS THE MAKINGS OF A CLASSIC By Salven L. Lagumbay PhilBoxing.com Fri, 29 Oct 2010  No less than a fight for the ages can be had when young warrior AJ "Bazooka" Banal takes on seasoned two-division former world champion Luis Alberto Perez in a ten-round non-title dukeout this Saturday at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. Banal and Perez have both vowed to win at all costs, indicating they have trained properly and hard for this fight, with the winner moving into a possible world title crack, and the loser moving back into a career limbo. At yesterday's final press conference held at the Caspian Room of Waterfront Hotel, Banal told members of the media that he has moved on from that humiliating loss at the hands of Rafael Concepcion two years ago, and that Perez will face a different fighter than the one he sees on Youtube losing to the Panamanian fighter. "For this fight, I am not thinking of my loss to Concepcion. I have a different conditioning regimen, and I have put in the work in the gym. We prepared for a style that is similar to Concepcion, or a style that is different," Banal told this writer, noting how his new conditioning coach has done wonders for his physical preparation. Perez, who admitted to writers that he doesn't watch videos of his opponent, has been promised a world title fight should he beat Banal, so he is not wanting himself for motivation. "We wish to inform you all that we travelled halfway across the globe not to lose, but to win against Banal. He is not popular in our country in Nicaragua. Only Manny Pacquiao is popular. But after the fight, we will make sure Perez is popular in the Philippines by beating Banal," said trainer/manager Senior Mario Antonio Garcia Fonseca, who claimed he is the one who studies videos for his fighter. "I have seen some footages of Banal's previous fights, and I have the key to beat him. We know what to do, and we are here to do that," added Fonseca, who will be assisted in Perez' corner by cutman Luis Reynaldo Mendoza, who once fought the legendary Alexis Arguello way back in 1974 losing via fourth round stoppage. Banal versus Perez, a battle between southpaws, is expected to be a fight that will be difficult for both fighters. "I see this fight as very difficult for both of them. They are both good southpaws, so expect a really great fight. This will not be easy for Perez, but he will win this one," added Fonseca. Perez' first loss was to a prime Vernie Torres, a Filipino, way back in 2000, but that did not deter him from becoming a two-division world champion, defeating Felix Machado in 2003 for the IBF superfly title, and and Genaro Garcia four years later for the vacant IBF bantam title. Other bouts featured on Saturday pit Mark Jason Melligen against Mexican Bladimir Hernandez; Jason Pagara versus Sapapetch Sor Sakaorat; Larry Bon Jovi Canillas against Ramie Laput; Jun Intor versus Romano Gelig; Wilbeth Loberanis versus Joel Lagusan; Ryan Canillas against Renjie Sabanal; and Rey Melligen against Billy Vullecer. First bout starts at 6PM, while gates open at 5PM. NOTES. Fans are advised to come earlier than usual for the fights, and to bring their cameras as they might want to have their photos taken against the backdrop of a beautiful mini-ring put up by ALA Promotions near the fight entrance...Or earlier if you want good parking at the hotel...Another reason to watch the fight, according to a source, is the possibility that Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera might also be at ringside to watch the bouts. The powerful duo will have their concert tonight at the same venue...Expect Perez to come into the bout the "bigger" man, as according to his manager, he is so good at shedding off poundage for the weigh-in, but bulks to add 15 lbs after weigh-in up to fight night...Official weigh-in is set 11AM today at the SM Atrium, open to the public...Time to see if Waterfront Hotel has finally solved the perennial problem of too much traffic for outgoing cars from the parking area after a major event. One irritated car owner said it took him two hours to finally leave the premises after the last boxing event held at the hotel. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.  |
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