Briones belittles Banal, says he’ll win

BACOLOD City — Mexican boxers Mario Briones and defending WBO lt.flyweight Ramon Garcia Hirales made a public appearance at SM City Bacolod last night where they met fans who gathered around for  a photo-ops.

The two later invited the audience to watch the mega-fight card Pinoy Pride 9 this  Saturday at the University of St. La Salle Gym.

Briones, who will be fighting AJ Banal for the WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight title, spoke with this writer and bared his thoughts about the fighter from Ermita, Cebu.

“Yes, I have seen Banal’s fights,” Briones said. “I am not impressed. He has lost already,” bragged the unbeaten Mexican.

The 25-year-old Briones (20W-0L-1D, 14 KOs) is undaunted about fighting Banal and does even consider his coming over as a risky endeavor.

“It is not a risk, I will lose nothing and gain everything, I will beat him,” Briones emphasized.

The Mexican, who is at least a couple of inches taller than the 22-year-old Banal (25W-1L-1D, 19 KOs), even bared his plan to Cebu Daily News. “I will use my reach, my jab and I will punish him with hooks to the body.”

Briones said he enjoys being in the host city. “Bacolod is very beautiful place, except for the heat. It is very green.”

Garcia Hirales and his team also spoke to the fans and said that they are confident that they will return to Mexico with two belts saying he is certain he will retain his title against challenger Donnie Nietes and Briones will also take Banal’s belt.