BANAL SAYS HE WONT LET THE FANS DOWN
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 21 Jul 2008
AJ ?Bazooka? Banal who is on the threshhold of winning a world title says he won't let the fans down and will do ?everything possible? to win the World Boxing Association super flyweight title when he battles Panama's hard-hitting Rafael ?El Torito? Concepcion at the Cebu Coliseum on July 26.
However, Damon De Berry of Optimum Sports Agency which handles Concepcion told insidesports.ph that his fighter was ?fully prepared and ready to take the title back to Panama? adding ?I am sorry to have to disappoint Filipino fans.?
He said Concepcion who will stage a public workout at the ?Fight Club? on Monday at 3:00 p.m. Had worked doubly hard in preparing for the title fight and had sparred with southpaws who duplicated Banal's style and was ?ready for anything Banal brings.? De Berry said Concepcion had power in both hands and could either come forward and put the pressure on Banal or fight going back which was an asset.
Banal for his part said he had watched tapes of Concepcion's fights against Ricardo Molina and Jean Piero Perez and conceded ?he is strong just like me but I have an advantage in ability.?
The undefeated 19 year old said he was ?one hundred percent fit and prepared hard? for the title showdown following some furious sparring sessions with Philippine flyweight champion Michael Domingo, Weng Haya, Bon Jovi and many other talented fighters of the ALA Gym.
Banal noted that ?since both of us are equally strong my mental attitude will make the difference? although De Berry countered by saying that Concepcion was ?mentally prepared and athis best? leading up to Saturday's fight and was tapering off.
Banal, Milan Milendo who battles tough Carlos Melo also on Panama for the WBA Intercontinental light flyweight title and Domingo who faces Indonesia's Rivo Ringkung for the WBO Oriental bantamweight crown went through their routine before a huge crowd at a public workout in the SM Entertainment Center, answered questions and posed for pictures with fans in a classy presentation by the ALA gym.
Youthful Michael Aldeguer who has assumed the mantle of leadership in the boxing business from his father, respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer said Banal was in the finest shape of his career and was ready and determined to give the Philippines another world title.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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