DE LA HOYA BELIEVES IN BANAL, PLANS TO ATTEND BAUTISTA FIGHT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 30 Jul 2008
?The Golden Boy? of boxing Oscar De La Hoya believes in AJ ?Bazooka? Banal and is confident the 19 year old will bounce back from his shock tenth round knockout at the hands of tough, 26 year old Panamanian Rafael ?El Torito? Concepcion last Saturday.
In an exclusive overseas telephone conversation with www.insidesports.ph, Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, De La Hoya said Banal is ?still young, still hungry.?
De La Hoya expressed confidence that the Filipino southpaw ?will be a world champion down the road.? He noted that Banal ?is a hard worker, he fights for his fans.? Plans are for Golden Boy Promotions to get Banal a few fights where ?he gets his confidence back.?
De La Hoya said there was a possible explanation for his low potassium because it sometimes happens with fighters when ?they train so hard and that was the case with Banal. He trained so hard for the fight that sometimes you get over-trained. That?s something that fighters do. But he?ll be back.?
Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista who also suffered a stunning first round knockout at the hands of Daniel Ponce De Leon in a WBO super bantamweight title fight in the Philippines vs Mexico ?World Cup? last year in Sacramento is also being nurtured back systematically in order to restore his confidence.
In his first comeback fight Bautista scored a twelve round unanimous decision against tough Antonio Meza on December 2 last year and followed this up with a second round knockout over Genaro Camargo last April 6.
The 22 year old Bautista who has a record of 25-1 with 18 knockouts defends his WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight title against 23 year old Eden Marquez who has a record of 16-3-3 with 12 knockouts at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu on August 30.
De La Hoya revealed that he would make a decision in a few days as to whether or not he will attend the Bautista fight. He said ?I will be talking to my wife Millie if we can make plans to go to the Philippines ?. De La Hoya said that hopefully by then there can be an answer regarding a possible showdown with Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Manny Pacquiao Arrives in LA to Oversee Son Jimuel's Highly Anticipated Pro Debut
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Robert Racasa Shines for the Philippines on First Day of World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 09 Nov 2025P20k for 42k winners in 3rd SDSPPO
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Weights Set for Tomorrow’s Sanman Boxing Show in General Santos City
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz vs. Erickson Lubin: Can Lubin Tip the Ortiz/Ennis Apple Cart?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Gibbons’ ‘Thrilla’ regrets
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Erickson Lubin Set for Explosive Showdown in Fort Worth
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Ring Officials Announced for Michael Hunter Vs Eli Frankham - York Hall, 5th December
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Baseball in the Sulaimán Family
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Shields signs $8 million multi year contract with Salita Promotions
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 08 Nov 2025A TIBUTE TO VICTOR CONTE
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Lhuillier Lauds RP Blu Boys’ Triumph in Japan Tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025FIDE Rated Chess Tournament Pasig Police Board Patrol Checkpoint Challenge
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025MANNY PACQUIAO VS. FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. ONCE AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 07 Nov 2025NBA Reportedly Met with Congress Regarding Gambling Issues
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 07 Nov 2025