| |
|
BANAL EXCITED TO MEET DE LA HOYA!
By Salven L. Lagumbay PhilBoxing.com Mon, 26 Mar 2007

A few hours from now, ALA Boys Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista and Alex John 'Bazooka' Banal, together with trainer Edito Villamor, will be flying out to Los Angeles for their training.
A week later, they will join Oscar De la Hoya and trainer Freddie Roach in Puerto Rico.
But for the US first-timer Banal, this trip is the result of long years of hard-work and sweat, and he says he is enjoying every bit of the moment.
"I am very, very, very excited in my first trip to America. Now, I am going to finally step into my dream," said the likeable 18-year-old, who is undefeated as a pro fighter.
Banal grew up in the squatters' area in Ermita, and making it to the United States is indeed a dream-come-true.
Of course, the cherry on the icing would have to be meeting his boyhoold idol Oscar De la Hoya, in fact, he will not only be meeting the Golden Boy, but he will be training with him as well.
"His eyes would light up everytime I mention Oscar's name. Imagine, he will be training with Oscar, the guy whom Banal would only see on television years past," said trainer Villamor.
According to Villamor, a group of sparmates have already been prepared in Puerto Rico for both Bautista and Banal, to make sure they get their quality sparring sessions for their May 5 assignments.
"Banal is very happy and excited for this trip. I can't begin to describe how motivated he is for this," added Villamor.
The trio will leave on a PAL flight PR 102 that departs at 10 tonight.
Happy trip to the ALA Team!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Vargas Speaks After Retaining WBA Bantamweight Title in Gritty Battle with Daigo Higa in Japan , Thu, 31 Jul 2025The “ATV” Plan is set for Undefeated Bay State Junior middleweight prospect Anthony Velazquez , Thu, 31 Jul 2025Youth High Performance Team Captain Salim Ellis-Bey Takes the World Stage With One Goal in Mind , Thu, 31 Jul 2025Trainer Tommy Brooks Passes Away at 71 By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025Kyosuke Takami Stops Erick Rosa in 10, Becomes “The New” WBA 108 World Champion By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 31 Jul 2025Immanuwel Aleem Smashes His Way To WBC FECARBOX Light Heavyweight Title and Inaugural DMV Belt With Spectacular 9th Round Stoppage Of Rival Demond Nicholson On Jeter Promotions Card , Thu, 31 Jul 2025NP Bansalan will see action in Buhangin on Aug. 9 By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 30 Jul 2025USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team Begins Competition at 2025 Brandenburg Cup , Wed, 30 Jul 2025Antonio Vargas Makes Weight, Set to Carry the USA Flag into World Title Showdown Against Daigo Higa in Japan , Wed, 30 Jul 2025“The Homecoming” to be Headlined by Phenom Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Sept. 6 in Olathe, Kansas , Wed, 30 Jul 2025Split-T Management Fighters Complete Perfect Weekend , Wed, 30 Jul 2025Golden Boy Signs Top Mexican Light Heavyweight Prospect Yair “Manotas” Gallardo to Co-Promotional Deal with Miguel Cotto Promotions , Wed, 30 Jul 20252-Time World Champion Shawn Porter Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas , Wed, 30 Jul 2025EVAN HOLYFIELD SET TO CONTINUE HIS COMEBACK THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, AT CHRISTY MARTIN’S “MAYHEM IN MUSIC CITY 2” , Tue, 29 Jul 2025The Boss Punches In: Joscelyn Olayo-Munoz Prepares for USA Boxing International Debut , Tue, 29 Jul 2025Boxing Icon Don Elbaum Passes Away at 97 By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 29 Jul 2025FIGHT OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE: Andy Dominguez Defeats Byron Rojas by Split Decision To Win WBC USA Silver Light Flyweight Title on Atlantic City , Mon, 28 Jul 2025ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI KNOCKS OUT ALBEIRO PAREDES IN SECOND ROUND OF MAIN EVENT OF FISTS OF FURY 7 AT SEMINOLE HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO HOLLYWOOD , Mon, 28 Jul 2025Hawaiian Punch: Lorenzo Patricio Closes Out Youth International Career , Mon, 28 Jul 2025The 19th Thousand Island Cup Philippine Xiangqi Open tournament on August 3 By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 28 Jul 20253rd DC Athletics Open on Aug. 9-10 at UM By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 28 Jul 2025Is Pacman Eyeing Tank? Speculation Rises for Pacquiao vs. Davis Showdown By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 28 Jul 2025Francisco stops Dalogdog, bags Phl ‘fly’ crown , Mon, 28 Jul 2025Boxing World Mourns the Passing of Two-Time Champion Dwight Muhammad Qawi By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 28 Jul 2025ALEX ARIZA BACKS KENNETH LLOVER, CITES PACQUIAO-LIKE STYLE AHEAD OF AUGUST BOUT , Mon, 28 Jul 2025 |

|
|
|
|
|