African trainer warns Banal: Be careful against 'tsunami'

CEBU, Philippines – Kenyan trainer Paul Otieno forwarned ALA Stable star AJ “Bazooka” Banal to be extra cautious against African “Golden Boy” Mbwana Matumla of Tanzania, whose fighting style he likened to a raging tidal waves - unstoppable and destructive.

“[Banal) Be watchful. This guy [Matumla] is like a ‘tsunami.’ Unstoppable,” Otieno told Banal during a press conference yesterday at Cebu Grand Hotel.

Banal (18-1-1, 15KOs) will slug it out with the former IBO super flyweight champion Matumla (18-3-1, 10KOs) in a non-title bout scheduled for 10 rounds headlining the hotly-anticipated “Pagsubok” boxing extravaganza tomorrow night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Banal quickly countered at the verbal jab thrown by the African, saying that he will make it sure to load his “Bazooka” with lots of ammunition to destroy the ‘tsunami’ or whatever Matumla brings in the ring.

“I will load my “Bazooka” with extra ammunition so I can stop the tsunami,” said the 20-year-old Banal.

Banal unequivocally admitted he is seeking to regain lost pride and glamour in his first fight before his Cebuano followers since losing via a stunning 10th round knockout to Panamian Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion in their WBA interim super flyweight championship on July 27 last year also at the Coliseum.

“I am mentally prepared for this fight. I even requested for this fight to be staged at the Cebu Coliseum because I want to gain back the trust and confident of my fans in me,” said Banal. “I can’t be sure if I can knock him [Matumla] out, but if there’s a chance I will.”

No less than Banal’s future is stake when he goes up against Matumla, whom he is hard-pressed to defeat so as not jeopardize a golden opportunity of seeing action in the Floyd Mayweather-Juan Manuel Marquez undercard on July 18 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“This is a fight he needs to win so he can move forward,” said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer, who charts Banal’s career path.

In the equally-exciting supporting bouts, ALA mainstays Czar Amonsot and WBO Youth lightweight champion Jason Pagara likewise face an uphill battle against stubborn opponents who both wield a vast experience and impressive ring credentials.

Amonsot (19-3-1, 11KOs) will square off against Kenyan Morsis Chule (11-6-2, 8KOs), while Pagara will take on Indonesian welterweight titlist Hero Katili, who is trained by Jeff Malcolm - a former decorated world champion from Australia who has compiled a spectacular record of 100 wins - 36 by stoppage - 27 losses, and 11 draws in 138 career fights that spanned for over two decades (1978-2002).

Amonsot is reluctant to say if he’s going to floor Chule, but will try his best to finish off the fight early. In stark contrast, Pagara said he is very confident of sending Katili into the canvass.

The Indonesian camp, however, stayed cool in the face of Pagara’s brazen remarks. “This is going to be a good fight. It’s a chance for Katili to step up into the next level,” said Malcolm.

Meanwhile, the official weigh-in of the slambang show presented by ALA Promotions in association with giant TV network ABS-CBN will be done at 11:00 this morning at the SM City-Cebu Entertainment Center.

Tickets are reasonably priced at P50 for general admission, P150 for upper box, P300 for lower box, P500 for ringside, P1,500 for VIP 1st row, P1, 250 for VIP 2nd row, and P1,000 for VIP 3rd row. Tickets are available at ALA Promotions office (032-2364611), ALA Gym-BTC (032-4162011), Island Souvenir boutique-Ayala (032-2312581), USA Sports-Ayala (032-2321854), and Bisaya Ispisyal Boutique (032-2326888). – THE FREEMAN