Mexican foe to give AJ Banal tough test

The long plane trip, at least 20 hours, took its apparent toll on Raul Hidalgo but the Mexican boxer vowed to give it all when he tangles with AJ “Bazooka” Banal this Saturday in the main event of Pinoy Pride 13: Road To Glory at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Hidalgo planed in yesterday, just two days before the fight and looked tired and weary.

“I’m tired because of lack of sleep but two days will be enough for me to recover,” said Hidalgo through interpreter Ramon Escaño in yesterday’s press briefing at the Agean Room of the Waterfront.

Although he has a high knockout percentage with 11 of his 15 victories via knockouts, Hidalgo wouldn’t say if he can come up with a stoppage.

“I know Banal is a strong fighter. All boxers are tough because we all train. I don’t want to promise anything but I came here to fight,” said Hidalgo, who has five losses.

“I trained for a month. There were a lot of good boxers in our gym and I sparred with some of them. I studied Banal’s style on the internet and I am prepared for him,” Hidalgo added.

Banal said he could not be complacent despite facing an opponent still trying to get in fighting shape.

“It’s an advantage that he’s still weary but I wont be complacent. If there’s a chance to knock him out, I’ll definitely go for it,” said Banal (26W-1L-1D, 17 KOs).

WAITING FOR ARCE

More than trying to defend his WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight title, Banal is looking for a win that would net him a shot at a world title.

Michael Aldeguer, president/CEO of ALA Promotions, said they are still waiting for Jorge Arce’s decision if he is willing to fight Banal.

“This is a significant fight for AJ. If he does well, we will start negotiating with the WBO,” said Aldeguer.

Aldeguer added that ALA Promotions is also currently in talks with Top Rank chief Bob Arum to put Banal in the undercard of the upcoming fight of Nonito Donaire.

Aldeguer is expecting an explosive card that would make up for the controversial Pinoy Pride 12 in Tagbilaran City, Bohol where Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista fought and defeated an opponent that was not the boxer that ALA Promotions contracted to fight him.

“Surprisingly, what happened in Bohol seemed not to have affected the upcoming card. With two days to go before the fight, 70 percent of the tickets were already sold,” said Aldeguer.

Aldeguer said Hidalgo could give Banal a tough test. “Mexican boxers always come to fight. We can never underestimate them,” said Aldeguer.

UNDERCARD

Hidalgo’s compatriot, Javier Franco (19W-6L-1D, 10KOs), also promised to put up a good show against Rocky Fuentes (32W-6L-2D, 19 KOs) in the main supporting bout.

“I trained for six weeks together with Hidalgo, I won’t promise a knockout but I will fight until death,” said Javier.

The undercards pit ALA Gym’s Albert Pagara vs. Thailand’s Phupa Por Nobnom; Bacolod City’s Arthur Villanueva vs. Benguet’s Rey Migreno; Mandaue City’s Roma Rate vs. Bukidnon’s Jade Yagahon; Toledo City’s Arjan Canillas vs. Agusan del Sur’s Ranie Pamtaian; Jojo “Flash” Intor vs. Bislig City’s Alejandro Marapao and Crispin Parba of Dumaguete City vs. Rowell Condolon of Agusan del Sur.