All is set for the Pinoy Pride 7: Battle at Mactan at the Hoops Dome today.
Top contenders AJ “Bazooka” Banal and Tyson “The Prince of Hali” Cave both made their weight at 117 ¾ lb during the official weigh-in yesterday at the Gaisano Grand Mall in Lapu-Lapu City.
Banal, who holds a 24-1-1 (win-loss-draw) record with 19 wins by knockouts, will be defending his WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight title for the second time.
Last March, he knocked out Francis Miyeyusho of Tanzania in two rounds at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
Cave (15W-1L, 5 KOs), from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, is a WBC Continental Americas super bantamweight titlist.
Banal’s trainer Edito Villamor said Banal is expected gain a little more weight going into today’s match to be able to execute their game plan.
“He will be stepping inside the ring at around 128 to 129 lb to give him sufficient power and stamina to take down Cave,” said Villamor.
Banal, meanwhile, said he knows what it takes to beat Cave.
“Kung mo aksyon siya ug pondo, anha nako siya birahan kay sige mani siya ug lihok,” said Banal. “Dili lang pud ko magpalabi para di pud ta kapoyon.”
The weigh-in was supervised by Rolando Mendoza of the Games and Amusements Board of Cebu and WBO Asia-Pacific chief Leon Panoncillo.
In the undercard bouts, ALA Boxing Gym’s Michael “Bruce Lee” Domingo weighed in at a perfect 121 lb while his opponent, Indonesian Richard “King Cobra” Samosir, had to jog to lose one extra pound.
The undefeated Lorenzo Villanueva also made weight at 127 lb while his foe Eddy “The Terminator” Camaro was a bit lighter at 126 and ¼ lb.
Romeo Jakosalem was two pounds lighter as he is set to defend the Philippine Junior Welterweight Championship weighing at 138 lb. His foe Eusebio Baluarte weighed 139 and ½ lb.