Fuentes, AJ Banal ready to rumble

CEBUANO OPBF flyweight champion Rocky “The Road Warrior” Fuentes is ready to face his first Mexican opponent in the undercard of the Pinoy Pride XIII: Road To Glory on March 24 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Fuentes will face Mexican Javier “El Chivero” Franco, who sports a record of 19 wins (10 knockouts), 6 losses and 1 draw.

“Excited kaayo ko kay first ni nako nga Mexican nga kontra,” said Fuentes, who has beaten top-rated Japanese fighters in his previous bouts. “Mas maayo na kay ubay-ubay na pud nga Japanese akong nakontra.”

Franco looks to extend his winning streak to three against Fuentes. He is coming from victories over Jorge Garcia and Luis Carlos Jimenez.

Fuentes, on the other hand, defeated Japanese boxers Hirofumi Mokai, Yasuto Aritomi, Shigetaka Ikehara and Masafumi Okubo to successfully defend his OPBF flyweight title.

Meanwhile, WBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight champion AJ “Bazooka” Banal is in tip-top shape and is very prepared for his bout against Raul “El Bule” Hidalgo in the main event of the Pinoy Pride XIII.

“Mas nikusog akong power karon,” said Banal. “Nindot kaayo akong condition.”

On the other hand, Albert “Prince” Pagara will face his second foreign opponent in Phupha Por Nobnom of Thailand also in the undercard.

Arthur Villanueva will try to go back in the boxing mainstream by fighting Benguet’s Rey Migreno. Fast-rising Roma Rate of Mandaue City will fight Jade Yagahon of Malaybalay, Bukidnon while Toledo City’s Arjan Canillas will go up against Ranie Pamatian.

Crowd-favorite Jojo “Flash” Intor will once again show off his skills against Alejandro Marapao while Crispin Barba battles Rowell Condolon in the opening bout. /CORRESPONDENT DALE G. ROSAL