PINOY PRIDE VII: Battle at Mactan Presscon Highlights
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 28 Jul 2011
Lapu-lapu City ? Tyson Cave and AJ 'Bazooka' Banal met and sized up each other for the first time in the final press conference before their WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight title showdown July 30 at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-lapu City.
The flamboyant Prince of Halifax was a fountain of clever quotes. ?I'll give you five dollars every time AJ touches me,? said Cave as he bared his plan to outbox and outfox the power-punching Banal.
?I'm better than Concepcion.? Cave said to Banal, ? After I beat you, you can fight Concepcion. If you beat him, I'll fight you again.?
Banal was stoic in the midst of Cave's verbal tirade. ?I'm not really bothered by his trash talking. I know I can catch him. It's impossible for him not to get hit.?
?There is no pressure for me. This is a win-win situation.? Cave continued, ?He is fighting in front of his people. He has to impress them. I don't have to impress no one. This will be great fight for the people and for the sport of boxing.?
Top photo: AJ Banal (L) and Tyson Cave pose during Thursday's presscon at the Plantation Bay in Mactan, Cebu.
L-R: Michael Domingo, ALA President Michael Aldeguer and Indonesian Richard Samosir.
Lorenzo Villanueva, Michael Aldeguer and Eddy Camaro.
When asked about his 8th round TKO loss ? due to body shots ? at the hands of Willie Casey, Cave responded by removing his shirt and baring his abs.
Trainer Karim Colette emphasized the abdominal work they did for Cave. ?The body work speaks for itself. But we didn't really do anything special for AJ. This will be just like any other fight.?
ALA Gym trainer Edmund Villamor stated that their preparations will show inside the ring. ?We will not predict a knockout but we have a good game plan.?
Robert Cave, Tyson's father, said that his son is flamboyant and confident of his skills.
?Boxing needs guys like me.? Tyson said, ?Boxing is competing with the MMA. I'm not just promoting the fight but I'm promoting myself. People will be looking for me after this fight.?
Also attending the press conference held at the Plantation Bay Resort and Spa were Romeo Jakosalem, who will fight Eusebio Baluarte for the vacant Philippine jr.welterweight title, WBO Oriental featherweight title Lorenzo 'Thunderbolt' Villanueva, opponent Eddy Comaro of Indonesia, Michael Domingo, and his opponent Richard Samosir also of Indonesia.
The undefeated Villanueva (20W, 19 KO?s with 1 no contest) said that he won't promise anything but he will pressure Camaro.
Camaro (24W-10L-4 D, with 9 KO's) gave Jason Pagara a tough fight before losing by majority decision in the undercard of the Brian Viloria vs Carlos Tamara IBF lt.flyweight title bout at the Cuneta Astrodome.His fight against Villanueva is a non-title contest scheduled for ten rounds.
Domingo said that fans should not worry about his conditioning despite the face that he has not fought since October. ?I'm been busy training and I've been sparring in Japan.?
Domingo (40W-15L-2D, 18 KO?s) and Samosir (18W-3L-3D, 7 KO's) will also fight for ten rounds.
Also penned to see action are Jomar Cordinillo of Bohol vs Jonathan Refugio of Bukidnon (8 rounds), Albert Pagara of Maasin City vs Jaime Alin of Bukidnon (6 rounds), the flashy Jojo Intor of Negros Oriental vs Cris Leon of Bukidnon (4 rounds) and Ryan Maano of Mandaue City vs Yoshinobu Arai of Japan (4rounds) round up the undercards.
Official weigh-in is on Friday 11a.m. at the Gaisano Grand here in Mactan island.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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