SEVEN DAYS AND COUNTING - BANAL READY TO GO
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 23 Aug 2009
LOS ANGELES -- I had the distinct opportunity to speak to AJ Banal this afternoon at the Wildcard Gym in Hollywood.
Banal just got back from the City of San Pedro some twenty miles south of downtown LA where he completed his required pre-fight medical examination. Incidentally, he passed the medical exams with flying colors.
Banal completed his heavy training regimen this Friday and is all set to go to Hawaii on Tuesday to meet with Jose Angel Beranza in the undercard of the Viloria-Iribe title fight.
Banal will be one of the three prominent Pinoys fighting in Hawaii. The other Pinoy, besides Viloria is Dennis Laurente of the Elorde Stable in Paranaque.
“I am ready to go even the full 12 rounds if needed be,” Banal said. “With the training I had over the past weeks, I feel the best ever and I expect to win.”
Banal was fitted with a new mouthguard, a routine I humbly do for our Filipino boxers who fight outside the Philippines.
I also had the opportunity to speak with Donnie Nietes who was also getting ready to defend his title soon in Mexico. Nietes also appears trim and fit. He weight a mere 112 pounds, just 4 off the contract weight of his title defense.
Rodel Mayol who is preparing to challenge Ivan Calderon was there as well going through the routine prescibed by his training team and Freddie Roach.
Edito Villamor was also with the group lending a hand in the training of Banal and Nietes. Villamor was previously in Las Vegas helping Tony Martin prepare Mark Millegen who incidentally won his fight last weekend at the Hard Rock Hotel.
Top photo: Top photo, front row: Trainer Edmund Villamor, Rodel Mayol, Donnie Nietes and AJ Banal with Dr Ed de la Vega (back row, right).
AJ Banal shows his new mouthguard with a Philippine flag design with Dr. Ed de la Vega.
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