AFTER days of enduring Tyson ?Prince of Hali? Cave?s trash talk, AJ ?Bazooka? Banal will have a chance to silence the flamboyant Canadian in the Cebuano?s World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight title defense tonight in the main event of ?Pinoy Pride 7 ? Battle in Mactan? at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
Cave (15-1 with five KOs) has been taunting Banal (24-1-1 with 19 KOs) the past few days, boasting that the 22-year-old Cebuano can?t hit him because of his speed and unorthodox, flashy style.
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He said he will beat Banal and will be called the Filipino Tyson after the fight.
Banal, who has been silent all week, said he will let his gloves do the talking in the ring.
Yesterday?s weigh-in was no different from the final press conference, as Cave pressed on with his swagger.
Cave ridiculed Banal in the face off, saying he had the better-chiseled abdominal muscles. He then performed sit-ups in front of the Cebuano champion. As Banal walked down the stage, Cave blew him a flying kiss.
Both fighters tipped the scales at 117 ? pounds.
?It?s going to be a tough fight for Banal. Cave isn?t a triple champ for nothing.
It?ll be a competitive fight,? said ALA Gym founder Antonio Lopez Aldeguer.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said this fight would be Banal?s acid test if he is ready for a rematch with his only tormentor, Rafael Concepcion.
Also seeing action in the main supporting bout is grizzled veteran Michael Domingo (40-15-5, 18 KOs), who is taking on Indonesian champion Richard Samosir (18-3-3, 7 KOs).
Unbeaten knockout artist Lorenzo Villanueva (20-0, 19 KOs) is looking for another victim as he faces off with crafty Indonesian veteran Eddy Camaro (24-10-4, 9 KOs).
Also in the undercard, Romeo Jackosalem (11-4-1, 5 KOs) and Eusebio Baluarte (17-3, 10 KOs) battle for the vacant RP welterweight crown; undefeated amateur standout Albert Pagara (5-0, 4 KOs) trades leathers with Jaime Alin Jr. (1-2); Jomar Cordinillo (8-2, 3 KOs) clashes with Jonathan Refugio (3-0-2); comedic pug Jun Intor (15-10-6, 7 KOs) showcases his ring antics against Cris Leon (0-0-1); and Ryan Maano (1-1-1) goes up against Japanese Yoshinubo Arai (2-1-1).
