BANAL, BOOM BOOM ON PE?ALOSA-VORAPIN UNDERCARD
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 08 Jan 2008
Rather than have him fight on the Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez undercard on March 15 in Las Vegas, Golden Boy Promotions wants to put promising world title prospect AJ ?Bazooka? Banal on the undercard of WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa?s mandatory title defense against Ratanachai Sor Vorapin on March 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Michael Aldeguer informed Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that he had spoken to Golden Boy Promotions vice president and international matchmaker Eric Gomez earlier Tuesday and that Gomez ?confirmed he had told you (Viva Sports-Standard Today) about his interest in putting Banal on the Pacquiao-Marquez fight card? but was now keen on scheduling both the talented young southpaw and Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista on the Penalosa-Vorapin card in Manila.
Gomez told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today over the weekend that they had offered Daniel Ponce De Leon a rematch against Penalosa but said "Ponce doesn't want to take the fight. He turned it down claiming he wanted to take a rest because he's tired."
The March 2 title defense of Penalosa is an undertaking of the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN in cooperation with Golden Boy Promotions who signed Bautista to a new three-year deal despite his first round KO at the hands of menacing WBO super bantamweight champion Ponce De Leon last August 11, demonstrating their confidence in the youngster.
Although Banal hasn?t signed up formally as yet with the pre-eminent outfit of Oscar De La Hoya, Aldeguer said ?I have given my word to Eric (Gomez) and we are moving forward? stressing that the ALA Gym is ?loyal to Golden Boy.?
At the same time Aldeguer said that the planned February 22 Cebu Charter Day Anniversary card to be headlined by Banal would be pushed back should he decide to fight on the blockbuster ABS-CBN-Golden Boy promotion which is expected to enhance Banal?s exposure with the network?s vast promotional and marketing ability and exposure nationwide as well as internationally through The Filipino Channel TFC.
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