Banal guns for last ticket to another world title ride

CEBU, Philippines - AJ "Bazooka" Banal (26-1-1, 19KOs) is set to defend his WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight title against Mexico's Raul "El Bule" Hidalgo (16-5, 12KOs), but the stakes are higher than that.

The ALA Boxing Gym stalwart hopes to hurdle one final obstacle towards another world title shot when he takes on Mexican hard-puncher in a 12-round rumble headlining the "Pinoy Pride XIII:Road to Glory" tonight at the Pacific grand ballroom of Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

"This is a very important fight for me. I have to deliver what is expected of me - a resounding victory," said

the 23-year-old Banal, who tipped in the scales at exactly 118 pounds during the well-attended official weigh-in yesterday at The Event Centre of SM City-Cebu.

Hidalgo, who arrived in town just last Thursday morning, had to shed off an extra pound before making the regulatory weight limit. He created a stir among the crowd when he took off his boxer shorts and his body was covered only with the Mexican flag in his second attempt to make the exact weight.

"I have to make the most of my ability because my future is at stake. I will give my best to put up a good fight and come out victorious, be it by knockout or decision. I am ready for eveything," said Banal.

ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael P. Aldeguer said Hidalgo will serve as Banal's last ticket to a possible world title ride within the year.

"This could be Banal's biggest fight before he gets to the next level of world championship. This will be his last ticket to another world title shot. That's how significant is this fight for him," said Aldeguer.

Banal will risk for the fourth time the WBO AsPac crown he grabbed with a fifth round stoppage of Hayato Kimura on July 17, 2010 at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex in Tagbilaran City. He's on a nine-fight win streak since absorbing the first and only defeat, so far, via 10th round TKO to Panamian Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion in their interim WBA super flyweight title match on July 26, 2008 at the Cebu Coliseum.

Hidalgo, on the other hand, is a very busy fighter, having seen action every month in 2011. This year, he has fought twice already, the most latest was against compatriot Macario Leyva just last month. He won by second round TKO.

In the supporting main event of the mega-boxing show presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports,

OPBF flyweight champion Rocky "The Road Warrior" Fuentes (32-6-2, 19KOs) will face a Mexican opponent for the first time in Javier "El Chivero" Franco (19-6-1, 10KOs).

In the other featured bouts, undefeated ALA mainstays Albert "The Prince" Pagara (10-0, 8KOs) and Arthur "El Matador" Villanueva (17-0, 12KOs) will slug it out with Thai Phupha Por Nobnom (10-7, 9KOs) and Rey Migreño (15-18, 13KOs) of La Trinidad, Benguet, respectively. (FREEMAN)