A plan to host the World Cup featuring Mexican champions against Filipino challengers will depend on the results of undefeated Filipinos Rey ‘Boom Boom’ Bautista and AJ ‘Bazooka’ Banal fights underneath ‘The World Awaits’ between Oscar dela Hoya and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. on May 5 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
According to Filipino international boxing promoter Sammy Gello-ani, Bautista and Banal are now penciled for bigger fights if they win against equally-dangerous fighters Sergio Manuel Medina and Juan Alberto Rosas, respectively.
Gello-ani also said that giant television network ABS-CBN has already signified interest to cover the World Cup of boxing tentatively set August 25.
“ABS-CBN and our group have already started exploratory talks on the holding of the World Cup. We haven’t discussed the figures yet but everything will depend on the outcome of this May 5 event,” Gello-ani said to boxingconfidential.com.
Bautista, considered as the next Manny Pacquiao, will stake his unblemished record of 22-0 with 17 knockouts against Argentinian Medina who is also undefeated in 28 fights with 16 KOs.
A native of Bohol, the 20-year-old Bautista is coming off a third round stoppage of Mexican Marino Gonzales (29-9, 15KOs) to win the vacant WBO Youth and Inter-continental super bantamweight titles last Feb. 24 in Cebu City.
On the other hand, the 18-year-old Banal was more impressive in his last fight after scoring a first round demolition of Thai Komrit Lukkuongmuekol (15-2-0) also last Feb. 24.
It would be the first time that Banal, a native of Bukidnon who has knocked out 10 opponents in 13 fights, will be fighting in the United States.
Although he lost his last two fights via decisions, Rosas alias ‘The Monster’ pack 22 knockouts in 25 victories.
Both Bautista and Banal trained in Puerto Rico under the supervision of famous American trainer Freddie Roach.
The two unbeaten Filipino boxers are now in Las Vegas, primed and ready to rumble on Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines). (PNA)
