'I came here to win'

CEBU, Philippines - Mexican hard-puncher Raul "El Bule" Hidalgo (16-5, 12KOs) has nothing but words of respect for AJ "Bazooka" Banal (26-1-1, 19KOs), but assured he is ready to put up a good fight when he challenges the pride of ALA Boxing Gym for the WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight crown in the main event of the keenly-awaited "Pinoy Pride XII:Road to Glory" this Saturday night at the Pacific grand ballroom of Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

"For me, there is no fighter that is not tough. I always see my opponents as strong and tough," said Hidalgo through Cebuano interpreter Mon Escaño in a press conference yesterday at the Aegean room of the posh hotel. "I don't like to promise but I came here to win."

Hidalgo, however, was reluctant to predict a knockout saying that it could happen to either of them.

"I don't want to talk ahead of time. I could knock him out, he (Banal) could also knock me out. Let's just wait for the result," said Hidalgo, who scored a second round stoppage of Macario Leyva in his previous bout just a month ago at the Palenque de la feria in San Buenaventura, Chihuahua, Mexico.

Like Hidalgo, Banal doesn't look past his foe. They were very cordial, shaking hands and smiling at each other at the presscon that was delayed for at least two hours because Hidalgo has just arrived yesterday morning and had to rest for a while.

"I can't say if I'm going to knock him out but I will definitely go for it if there's a chance," said Banal, who will defend for the fourth time the WBO AsPac title he claimed with a fifth round knockout of Hayato Kimura on July 17, 2010 at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex in Tagbilaran City.

Banal is on a nine-fight winning streak since absorbing the first and only defeat, so far, via 10th round TKO to Panamian Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion in their interrim WBA super flyweight title match on July 26, 2008 at the Cebu Coliseum.

ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer, for his part, said Banal must prove his real worth as another world title shot is in the offing if he gets past Hidalgo.

Being the top contender, Banal is the rightful challenger to WBO bantamweight champion Jorge "Travieso" Arce, but the Mexican has plans to move up in weight to take on three-division titlist Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire.

"We're just waiting for the decision of Arce. If he moves up in weight, then we'll start talks for a world title fight for Banal. That is why this is a very significant fight for him," said Aldeguer.

Should Arce decides to defend his WBO belt, Aldeguer said they would gladly accept the challenge.

"We're very much willing because it's an opportunity for Banal to fight a legend. If that opportunity comes, then we'll grab it. For now, he just have to focus on this Saturday's fight," said Aldeguer.

Also featured in the "Pinoy Pride XIII" co-presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports are the undefeated ALA mainstays Albert "The Prince" Pagara (10-0, 8KOs) and Arthur "El Matador" Villanueva (17-0, 12KOs) and OPBF flyweight champion Rocky "The Road Warrior" Fuentes (32-6-2, 19KOs).

Pagara will slug it out with Thai Phupha Por Nobnom (10-7, 9KOs), Villanueva will go up against Rey Migreño (15-18, 13KOs) of La Trinidad, Benguet, while Fuentes will mix it up with Mexico's Javier "El Chivero" Franco (19-6-1, 10KOs). (FREEMAN)