'Bakbakan sa Sinulog!': 'Baby Assassin' to detonate secret weapon against Banal

CEBU, Philippines - Anthony “Baby Assassin” Villareal brings along with him a secret weapon he vows to detonate when he defends his WBC Intercontinental Youth flyweight title against two-division regional champion Milan “Milenyo” Melindo of the ALA Stable in the main event of the keenly-awaited “Bakbakan sa Sinulog!” card on January 14 at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

“He will bring a style Melindo has yet to face,” said Villareal’s trainer Alberto Franco in a press conference yesterday at Patio Isabel.

“He’s too big, too strong, too fast [against Melindo]. There will be many movements. We’ve seen the fights of Melindo on the tape and there’s nothing to worry about,” added Franco, who described Villareal’s style as “a combination of Floyd Mayweather’s defense and Shane Mosley’s aggressivess.

Franco said Villareal is not the type of fighter who loves to dance around and run away from his opponent. “He’s a boxer who makes his opponent miss and makes him pay,” he said.

For the 22-year-old Villareal, putting his crown on the line at enemy’s lair is an even better challenge for him.

“I’m here to work not on vacation. Business first,” said a seemingly confident Villareal, who hails from Riverside County in California.”I’m not worried if I fight elsewhere. A ring is a ring. It doesn’t matter where I’m fighting. As what Manny Pacquiao said, train hard, fight easy.”

Villareal (9-2, 4KOs) was impressive in his previous bout, eking out a split decision victory over the previously unbeaten Miguel Roman to clinch the WBC Youth belt. He will go up against the undefeated Melindo (19-0, 5KOs), who is seeking his third regional title in third weight division.

In the other feature of the four-nation extravaganza presented by ALA Promotions in partnership with SMART Communications, ABC TV 5 and the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP), the resurgent ALA Stable star AJ “Bazooka” Banal (20-1, 16KOs) will slug it out with Cecilio “Boga” Santos Galindo (24-11-3, 14 KOs) of Mexico.

Santos, a veteran of 48 ring battles, is coming off a smashing first round knockout of fellow Mexican Cesar Martinez. The 31-year-old Mexican credits his experience as his biggest advantage over Banal, his 10 years junior.

In the must-see undecard, ALA mainstays James Bacon and Larry “Bonjovi” Canillas will trade mitts with separate Thai foes. Bacon (13-1-0,8 KOs) will square off against Thittichon Singwancha (12-3, 2KO’s), while Canillas (11-1, 11KOs) will take on Pet Twin Gym (8-3-1, 6 KOs).

The rest of the card pits Jojo Intor of Negros Occidental against Romnick Hoybia of Bohol and Jonel Gadapan of Cagayan de Oro versus Jayson Inso of Mandaue City.

Two matches featuring national amateur boxers will spice up the pro action in Adonis Cabalquinto against Jimmy Vallares and Karina Jane Recaido opposite Irish Magno. Karina Jane is the daughter of former Asian Games gold medallist and two-time Olympian Elias Recaido.

The slambang showed will be aired on ABC TV 5 on a slightly delayed basis.

Ticket prices are pegged at P1,500 for VIP first row, P1, 250 for VIP second row, P1,000 for VIP third row, P500 for ringside, P300 for ballroom and P250 for balcony.

Meanwhile, ALA Promotions vice president Dennis Cañete announced that the main protagonists of the “Bakbakan sa Sinulog!” will hold a public workout at 5 pm on Monday at the Banilad Town Centre (BTC).—EBV   (FREEMAN NEWS)