Canadian vows to kayo Banal in 5 rounds

Manila, Philippines - Tyson Cave isn’t fighting in his first overseas stint just for the sake of losing.

Less than two weeks before facing Filipino AJ Banal in what could be the biggest match of his career to date, the native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, didn’t mince any word that he’s going to win by knockout during the 12-round bantamweight match at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu on July 30.

In an email message, Tyson’s father, Robert Cave, vows to leave the country victorious and wearing the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific bantamweight belt, which is at stake in the fight dubbed “Pinoy Pride 7: Battle at Mactan,” arranged in partnership between premier boxing outfit ALA Promotions and network giant ABS-CBN.

“I think your fighting community will like Tyson’s style and especially when Tyson defeats Banal in round 5,” said the elder Cave.

Nicknamed “Prince of Hali”, Tyson won his last five bouts since suffering an eighth round technical knockout over Willie Casey last year.

Cave (15-1, with 5 KOs) is coming off a 10-round unanimous decision of Saturnino Nava last month. He fought all of his 16 fights in his native Canada and will be boxing outside of the country for the very first time.

“We want to thank the Filipino people for this opportunity. We are definitely looking forward to fighting AJ Banal,” said Tyson’s father of the fight also presented by the City Government of Lapu Lapu, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, SM City Cebu, Cobra Tunay na Lakas Energy Drink, Ayala Active Zone, Gaisano Island Mall Mactan, Parkmall, Abaca Boutique Resort and Restaurant, Diamond Suites and Residences.

Banal, 22, remains in the comeback trail since being knocked out in the 10th round by former world title challenger Rafael Concepcion before a shocked partisan crowd at the Cebu Coliseum in 2008.

“Bazooka” sports a 24-1 record (19 by KOs), and is on a seven-fight winning streak before facing Cave in the big boxing card also presented by Be Resort Mactan, Cebu Grand Hotel, Maya Mexican Restaurant, Kia Cebu, Mooon Cafe, Thirsty Juices and Shakes, Gold Berry Suites and Hotel, Sunstar Publications and Cebu Daily News.