Cebuanos’ hospitality impresses Banal’s foe

Tyson “The Prince of Hali” Cave (15-1-5, win-loss-KOs) may be battling a Cebuano this Saturday, but the Canadian still marveled at the hospitality and warm welcome accorded to him by local executives, boxing officials and common boxing fans.

Yesterday, Cave paid a courtesy call on Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Mayor Radaza and thanked the chief executive for the warm welcome and “the great opportunity to visit this beautiful island.”

Cave was accompanied by his father Robert, conditioning trainer Karim Collette and trainers Kelvin Fraser and Michael Louis Philips.

Cave also toured Lapu-Lapu City and Cebu City last Tuesday and according to him he was greeted warmly by Cebuano boxing fans and encouraged them to support him and AJ “Bazooka” Banal by watching their fight this Saturday at The Hoops Dome.

Radaza for her part also thanked Cave and ALA Promotions for the chance to host the fight, which is the city’s first major boxing event to be held at The Hoops Dome.

“It’s a great pleasure for me and the people of Lapu-Lapu to host this kind of event. I am hoping that they will have an enjoyable stay here,” said Radaza.

As a promotional stint, Cave will act as head coach of the Pinoy Pride Team for tonight’s exhibition basketball match against a Lapu-Lapu selection.

Sports and Tourism chairman Harry Radaza said that after the friendly game, boxing fans will have a meet-and-greet activity with Cave.

“I would love to play basketball but they said they would not let me play, so I decided to coach Pinoy Pride Team instead. That would be a lot of fun” said Cave.

The final press conference of the Pinoy Pride 7: Battle at Mactan will be held today at the Plantation Bay Hotel and Spa in Mactan where Cave and his archnemesis Banal will meet for the first time.

The official weigh-in of the card will be held tomorrow in Gaisano Grand Mall Mactan.