PINOY PRIDE XIII: BANAL VS. HIDALGO
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 27 Feb 2012
Mandaue City ? AJ ?Bazooka? Banal (26W-1L-1D, 17 KO?s) of Ermita, Cebu City will defend his WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight title against Raul Hidalgo (15W-5L, 11 KO?s) of Mexico this March 24.
But the favourite question among the sportswriters was if Banal can fight for a world title this year.
?We are not treating this as a mere tune-up,? ALA Promotions CEO Michael Aldegeur said, ?You can never underestimate a Mexican fighter. Yes, AJ is nearing a title fight and we?ll assess after this fight. We are also looking at the possibility of AJ fighting on the undercard of a Nonito Donaire fight in the U.S.?
Banal for his part said, ?I am satisfied with the results of my last two fights. My confidence is back. I have prepared long and hard, I?ve been in the gym since December. I will not look past Hidalgo. He could be better than his record.?
Banal is the number ranked contender in the WBO. The reigning champion, Jorge Arce, of Mexico, has been reported to be planning another move up in weight.
Last year, Hidalgo lost by knockout to Daiki Kameda in his bid to win the WBC International superflyweight title.
Top and above photos (L-R): Rocky Fuentes, Albert Pagara, ALA President Michael Aldeguer, AJ Banal, Arthur Villanueva and trainer Edmund Villamor pose during the press conference held at the Cityscape Hotel in Mandaue City Monday afternoon announcing Pinoy Pride XIII on March 24, 2012 at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.
The undercards also promises to be interesting with Rocky Fuentes (32W-6L-2D, 19 KO?s),Arthur ?El Matador? Villanueva (17W-0L, 12 KO?s) and ?Prince? Albert Pagara (10W-0L, 8 KO?s).
Pagara has started to make waves in his two year career and is comparable to Banal when he was starting his ascent as a prizefighter.
?I don?t feel any pressure. I am focused in my training. I am thankful to be part of Pinoy Pride? Pagara said.
Villanueva will finally make his ring return after suffering a hand injury last October. Fuentes, who just got married, is also inching closer to a title shot.
The opponents of the main undercards will be announced soon.
PINOY PRIDE XIII: Road to Glory will be at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
Fri, 30 Jan 2026PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 30 Jan 2026NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Flores vs. Castillo’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Fri, 30 Jan 2026WAPA Deportes Confirmed as Puerto Rican Broadcast Home for Saturday’s Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Legendary Panamanian Juan Carlos Tapia will be inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Additional Matchups for Saturday, February 28 Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
Fri, 30 Jan 2026SWERVE TV STRIKES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO EXPAND PREMIUM BOXING CONTENT
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Leuenbergers to join IRONMAN® 70.3 Davao
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Open Workout: Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou Prepare For Saturday's Unification Showdown in Puerto Rico
Thu, 29 Jan 2026Cabrera-Zapata Kicks Off All Star Boxing's 2026 Season
Thu, 29 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: Cash prizes, FIDE rating at stakes this Sunday
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 29 Jan 2026IBP Fun Run & Family Day on February 15
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 29 Jan 2026TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND SHAKUR STEVENSON FACE-OFF AT KNICKS GAME AS COUNTDOWN TO ‘THE RING 6’ ON SATURDAY BEGINS
Wed, 28 Jan 2026