Thursday, February 07, 2008 ALA eyes Cebu fight for Banal vs. Uruguayan
IT LOOKS like Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista and AJ “Bazooka” Banal got a choice between fighting in Manila and fighting closer to home.
The two are being penciled to be in the undercard of the World Boxing Organization bantamweight title defense of Gerry Peñalosa against Ratanachai Sor Vorapin at the Araneta Coliseum in April.
However, if their fight in the card, which is being promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, doesn’t push through, the ALA promotions has an alternative in mind.
Michael Aldeguer, President of ALA Promotions, has disclosed yesterday that they are making their own plans for Banal and Bautista while waiting for the reply of Golden Boy Promotions Vice President Eric Gomez for the inclusion of the two fighters in the Manila fight.
“We have an alternative plan of our own for Boom Boom and Banal,” said Aldeguer in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.
Undefeated
ALA Promotions’ plan is for the undefeated Banal to fight Uruguayan Caril “El Raton” Herrera, ranked No. 5 in the World Boxing Council and No. 12 in the International Boxing Federation, at the Cebu Coliseum on April 5.
Herrera is also undefeated in his professional career and has record of 21-0 with 10 knockouts.
“This will be Banal’s toughest assignment ever in his career. This will be his biggest fight yet,” said Aldeguer.
Judging from the reception he got when Banal was introduced prior to the Vic Darchinyan vs. Z Gorres eliminator bout, when he got a resounding cheer from the gallery, the April 5 fight could be a sellout.
Meanwhile, fellow ALA boy Bautista will be squaring off with Genaro Camargo of Mexico in his hometown in Bohol on March 23. Camargo has a professional record of 16 wins and 3 losses with 10 knockouts.
Although the dates and the venues aren’t final yet, international matchmaker Sampson Leckowicz assured that both Camargo and Herrera will be the facing Bautista and Banal. (EKA)
