PEREZ TO USE SIZE AND STRENGTH AGAINST BANAL
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 28 Oct 2010
Luis ?El Demoledor? Perez' world title belts were on display prior to the start of the final press conference for PINOY PRIDE at the Waterfront Hotel Thursday noon. It sent a not so subtle message as to who is the more accomplished and skilled fighter in his match-up against AJ ?Bazooka? Banal.
Perez, a former IBF world junior bantamweight and bantamweight champion from Nicaragua, was visibly the taller guy when they posed for pictures.
Mario Antonio Garcia Fonseca of Team Perez said that his boxer's height and reach will be to their advantage. He alluded comparisons to another Nicaraguan, the late great Alexis Arguello who was a tall and rangy boxer. He also reminded us what happens to smaller sluggers when they meet taller punchers citing George Foreman scoring multiple knockdowns against Joe Frazier.
Trainer Edmund Villamor however said that they found a tall sparring partner for Banal who can approximate Perez' style. ?AJ sparred with Jesson Enzo, a lightweight who is as tall as Perez. So we will have no problems with his height.?
Fonseca however was not impressed. ?You wear heavier gloves in sparring. It's different inside the ring. Every boxer has to fight in the right category. That is why we have weight divisions.? His subsequent statements suggested that Banal is small for his weight and this will be a determining factor in this bout. Fonseca also mentioned other Nicaraguan fighters who are tall for their weight category.
This intriguing battle between two hard hitting southpaws continued with the verbal potshots assisted by the prodding of the Cebu media. They asked the visitors regarding Manny Pacquiao and if Banal is known in their country.
?Manny Pacquaio is popular in Nicaragua but Banal is not.? Fonseca replied.
?After this fight, I will be known over there.?Banal countered.
?It is not easy to be famous in Nicaragua. But after this fight I will be famous in the Philippines.? Perez added. Banal is expected to face his toughest opponent in the 'Demolition Man', who is known for his methodical and poised attack and for being an excellent finisher.
Perez lost to a Filipino Vernie Torres in Mississippi his first overseas fight. Fonseca blamed the long trip from Nicaragua to Mississippi. ?I lose only if I did not prepare well. I trained well for this fight like my past title wins.? Perez emphasized.
Another visiting fighter, Bladimir ?Vibora? Hernandez of Mexico, will face Top Rank welterweight Mark Jason Melligen.
Hernandez was asked about the recent losses suffered by Mexican boxers in Cebu. ? I am different from the other Mexicans who have fought here. I have sparred with Saul and Rigoberto Alvarez. I am here in to win.? Hernandez cited his right hand as his power punch.
But Melligen said he can punch with both hands. ?Melligen has speed, conditioning and defense.? said Tony Martin, Melligen's trainer. ?It's just a question of how he will win. He needs an impressive performance.?
Also seeing action will be teenage lightweight prospect Jason Pagara (23W- 1L, 11 KO's) of Cagayan de Oro who will fight Sapapetch Sor Sakaorat (20W-6L, 11 KO's) of Thailand. Up and comer Larry ?Bon Jovi? Canillas (15W-2L, 1 KO's) of Toledo City will face veteran Ramie Laput ( 38W-4L, 17 KO's) of the ABA Boxing Gym of Davao in an eight round bout.
For comic relief, we turn to Jun ?The Flash? Entor of Mabinay, Negros Oriental versus Romano Gelig of Bohol (4 rounds), undefeated flyweight prospect Welbeth Loberanis of Mandaue City vs. Joel Lagusan of Leyte (6 rounds), Ryan Canillas, brother of Larry Canillas, will fight Renjie Sabanal of Siaton, Negros Oriental (4 rounds flyweights) and Rey Melligen,brother of Mark, will fight Avelino Valleser of Bohol (4 rounds lightweights). Melligen will be fighting his second bout as a pro, having stopped Bonbon Gino in three rounds in his debut.
PINOY PRIDE is a brainchild and a presentation of ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports scheduled on the 30th of October 2010 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. Fight time is at 6 PM.
(Top photo: AJ Banal and Luis Perez face off, Bottom photos: Melligen vs Hernandez, Pagara vs Sapapetch and Laput vs Canillas)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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