Cave's dad: Banal in fight of his life

CEBU, Philippines - The father/manager of multi-titled and world-rated Tyson Cave of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada has chastised the handlers of AJ Banal for choosing his ward to challenge for the latter’s WBO Asia-Pacific title.

In a phone interview with Kenneth Ragpala of Boxing News, the older Cave said, “My son, Tyson is coming to win and I can assure you AJ Banal will be in a fight for his life. It will be the downfall of Banal.”

According to his father, Tyson, who is popularly known as the “Prince of Hali”, will put on a boxing clinic and will teach the pride of Ermita, Cebu a neat lesson in the so-called 'sweet science'.

“My son is not much on power but he has speed and accuracy,” said the older Cave in an interview with Ragpala.

The triple champ Cave, who is the reigning WBC Continental American super bantamweight champion, also holds the Canadian Boxing Federation title as well as the Canada–America-Mexico super bantamweight diadem. He is touted to fight in the style of Muhammad Ali in his prime and boasts that the power punches of the Cebuano is useless because he can’t hit what he can’t see.

When confronted of the bragging statements of Tyson Cave’s father, the soft-spoken defending champion said, “I will let my fist do the talking. I will make sure he eats his words and learn to respect me.”

The two combatants are all primed up for the Pinoy Pride 7 episode “The Battle at Mactan”, which will be held for the very first time at the fully air-conditioned Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City on July 30 under the joint venture of ALA Promotions and giant network ABS-CBN.

Lapu–Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza is giving her all-out support in making the historic fistic battle a defining success to lure more boxing events in the future in an attempt to dislodge Cebu City as the new boxing mecca in the country.

Another sell-out crowd is expected to pack the Hoops Dome on the night of the fight where two other co-main events will usher the star-studded card.

Veteran slugger Michael Domingo and iron-fisted Lorenzo Villanueva will tangle with their equally-tough Indonesian counterparts Richard Samosir and Eddy Camaro, respectively.

Spicing up the show is the Philippine light welterweight championship fight between defending champion Eusebio Baluarte and fast-rising sensation Romeo Jakosalem.

Tickets are now on sale at the ALA Promotions office (032-2364611); ALA Gym BTC (032-4162011); Ayala Center ticket booth; USA Sports boutique (Ayala Center Cebu); Bisaya Ispisyal (Ayala Center Cebu); Wacky Kiosk (Gaisano Island Mall Mactan); Unitop Inc. (Lapu-Lapu City); BE Resorts front desk); Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino; Island Souvenirs (Pasalubong Center); Plantation Bay Resort and SPA ticket outlet; Goldberry Suites and Hotel; Da Vinci Ticket outlets - Parkmall and Marina Mall; Lapu-Lapu City Hall and Gaisano Grand Mall of Mactan.