'BOOM BOOM,' BANAL GET BUSY IN PUERTO RICO!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 17 Apr 2007
Undefeated world prospects Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista and Alex John 'Bazooka' Banal have continued to put in the work at training in Puerto Rico as they prepare for their May 5 bouts underneath the Oscar De la Hoya-Floyd Mayweather duel.
Bautista has been sparring against Carlos 'Bebe' Valcarcel and Jonathan Oquendo in preparation for his 12-round WBO eliminator against Argentinian Sergio Manuel Medina, a fellow undefeated prospect.
"We are delighted to train in Puerto Rico. The climate is very similar to the one of the Philippines and we like to be here next to Oscar de la Hoya and Freddie Roach," the 20-year-old Bautista told Endi.
Bautista goes into the fight holding a perfect 22-0, 17 KO's record, as Medina himself carries a fearsome 28-0, 16 KO's ledger.
“I am training hard for this fight because I know that Medina is a great boxer. I go into this fight with no other purpose but to win, because I want to become a world champion and a victory on May 5 will bring me closer to that dream," added Bautista.
Alex John Banal, who like Bautista is being trained by Freddie Roach in Puerto Rico, is also whipping himself into prime shape in preparation for his tough assignment against Mexican fighter Juan Alberto Rosas, the Mexican and NABF flyweight champion.
Banal (12-0, 10 KO's) stated that he is privileged to be training with De la Hoya and the other fighters like Sugar Shane Mosley, who has been commissioned as one of Oscar's sparmates.
“I am moved because it is going to be an important event and people all over the world will be watching. It is a good opportunity for me," Banal stated.
Banal, who has faced more foreign opponents than locals this early in his career, said he is not looking past Rosas, whom he considers his biggest test to date.
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