Thursday, September 13, 2007 Donaire does a Pacman
AFTER Manny Pacquiao, another Pinoy world champion will make Cebu his training ground next month.
Nonio Donaire, the International Boxing Federation and International Boxing Organization flyweight champion, is set to train at the world-class ALA gym of Antonio L. Aldeguer in Nasipit, Talamban to prepare for his first title defense in December.
Aldeguer said Donaire has informed him of his wish to train at his gym and the boxing impresario has accepted the offer.
“It’s a great honor for me, I am very happy that Donaire will be training here,” said Aldeguer.
Aledeguer said that Donaire chose Cebu because he wants to face quality sparring partnersd as he prepares for his title defense.
“Donaire decided to train here because he can have his pick of sparring partners. He also wants to feel at home when he trains,” said Aldeguer.
Donaire got his title after a scintillating fifth-round TKO of then undefeated Australain Vic Darchinyan last July 7.
Meanwhile, ALA Boy AJ “Bazooka” Banal is carrying a vendetta and his gun sight is trained on Mexicans.
Banal said if he faces a Mexican in the ring, his blood boils when he recalls the sorry loss of his stablemate Rey Boom-Boom Bautista last month. The formerly unbeaten Bautista was floored in the first round by World boxing Organization super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon in the World Cup.
The promising boxer also said what adds fuel to his ire on Mexicans is the heated rivalry between the two countries in boxing today.
“I think it’s natural that I hold a grudge against Mexicans especially if I think about the loss of my stablemate. If possible, I want to knock out all the Mexicans I will face but that is not possible. I’ll just have to do my best,” said the Boholano boxer now based at the ALA stable in Cebu.
Banal has already faced two Mexicans in his 15-fight career, first scoring a unanimous decision against Juan Alberto Rosaas (25-3, 22 KOs) and scoring a third-round knockout against Jorge Cardenas (9-4-3 6 KOs) in the World Cup of Boxing.
Chance
And this Sept. 30 at the Waterfront Hotel, Banal will get a chance to add a third Mexican to his list of victims.
And Genaro Camargo, who packs a record of 14-2 with 8 KOs, could be that third Mexican.
Camargo will face Banal for the WBO youth super flyweight title after Banal’s orginal foe, Jovanny “Bambino” Soto (25-7-1, 20 KOs) was replaced.
Soto, who is the Mexican Boxing Federation super flyweight champion was mandated by MBF to defend his crown on Sept. 28.
“I can beat him. I have been practicing continuously after the World Cup,” said the 19-year-old Banal.
Banal has been training rigorously at the ALA stable for the Sept. 30 fight, which will have another ALA boy, Donnie NIetes (19-1-3, 11 KOs) going against Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym (20-0, 15 KOs) for the vacant WBO minimumweight title. (ESL)
