WHEN ALA Gym standout AJ ?Bazooka? Banal suffered his first loss as a professional pugilist last year, it was because he ran out of gas in the later rounds.
Not in his next fight, coach Edmund Villamor pledged.
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When he goes into the ring this Saturday, Banal will no longer be drained in the latter rounds because they trained him to conserve his energy to be able to go the distance.
?We are working on his pacing so that he still has something for up to 12 rounds,? Villamor said in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu.
After his successful return bout in Bohol against Indonesian Nouldy Manakane, the 20-year-old Banal will face a more formidable foe, former International Boxing Organization super flyweight titleholder Mbwana ?African Golden Boy? Matumla, this Saturday in Cebu Coliseum.
Matumla also formerly held regional titles in the World Boxing Association and faced top world title contender Silence Mabuza and former title contender Posuwan Pramuansak. Matumla has a professional boxing record of 18 wins and three losses with 10 knockouts.
Matumla is virtually unknown to Banal because his camp hasn?t seen tapes of the 34-year-old southpaw?s fights.
?We?re not going to rush things. We will first look at the style of the opponent in the first round and adapt to it,? said Villamor.
Banal looked sharp in his two-round sparring session with Eman Labanza in the ?Tuloy ang Pagsubok? public preview at the SM Cebu Atrium last Saturday. He displayed his swift punch combinations and impressive footwork. With Banal?s power he sent Labanza kneeling on the mat three times.
Other fighters seeing action this Saturday also showed their boxing prowess in front of the huge crowd of onlookers.
Czar Amonsot sparred with Jason Pagara while Larry ?Bon Jovi? Canillas sparred with flashy Jun ?Flash Mongo? Intor.
Amonsot is up against Kenyan champion Morris Chule and Pagara will face Indonesian Hero Katili while Canillas and Intor are set to battle fellow Filipino pugilists Reman Salim and Leonardo Guardiano, respectively.
