Hidalgo ready to rumble vs Banal

CEBU, Philippines  – Mexican power-puncher Raul “El Bule” Hidalgo has nothing but words of respect for AJ “Bazooka” Banal 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 Pinoy Pride XII: Road to Glory Saturday night at the Pacific grand ballroom of Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino here.

“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, refused 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 in Mexico last month.

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 had asked to rest for a while after arriving just yesterday morning.

“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 the WBO AsPac title for the fourth time after winning it via 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 losing to Panamanian Rafael Concepcion via a 10th round TKO in their interim 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 with a crack at the world crown looms if he gets past Hidalgo.

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