Banal ready for title defense

CEBU, Philippines - ALA Boxing Gym standout AJ "Bazooka" Banal (26-1-1, 19KOs) said he's a hundred percent ready for his WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight title defense against Mexican hard-puncher Raul ‘El Bule’ Hidalgo (16-5, 12KOs) topbilling the “Pinoy Pride XIII” on March 24 at the Pacific grand ballroom of Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

“I'm ready to fight 100 percent," said Banal. "I really trained hard because I want to give my fans a good fight. Right now, I'm doing only light workouts."

Banal showed his fans a glimpse of what he has to offer against Hidalgo through a public sparring session for two rounds against the undefeated featherweight prospect Ralph Lulu ther other night at the Cebu IT Park in Brgy. Apas, this city.

The top-ranked Banal is the mandatory challenger to WBO bantamweight champion Jorge 'Travieso' Arce of Mexico. He also has a pending offer from the International Boxing Federation to take on South African Vusi Malinga for the IBF 118-pound belt.

Banal's chance to earn another world title shot becomes brighter as Arce plans to move up in weight to challenge three-division world champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire.

But the 23-year-old Banal doesn't think about it as he is willing to take on Arce anytime, anywhere.

"I'm not thinking of anything other than a world title fight. I am ready to face even Arce if he won't push through with his plan to kove up in weight," said Banal.

Like Banal, reigning OPBF flyweight titlist Rocky “ The Road Warrior” Fuentes (32-6, 19KOs) also looks forward to his bout against Mexico's Javier Franco (19-6, 10KOs).

"I really love to fight against a Mexican opponent because we know that the Mexicans are very tough warriors inside the ring," said Fuentes.

Also seeing action in the undercard of the mega-boxing event presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports are the undefeated ALA mainstays Albert "The Prince" Pagara (10-0, 8KOs) and Arthur Villanueva (17-0, 12KOs).

Pagara will slug it out with Thai Phupha Por Nobnom (10-7, 9KOs), while Villanueva will go up against Rey Migreño (15-18, 13KOs) of La Trinidad, Benguet. - THE FREEMAN