ALA boys Gorres, Banal to wage 'War in the Ring' Battle tough Indonesian foes in explosive Mandaue card on Oct. 21

ALA Stable stalwarts Z "The Dream" Gorres and AJ "Bazooka" Banal both gear up for crucial fights and they will definitely wage "War in the Ring" when they slug it out with Indonesian foes on October 21 at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

Gorres (24-1-1, 12KOs) will trade mitts with Indonesian super bantamweight champion Sony Manakane (9-2-1, 4KOs) in what would be his final tune-up before his mandatory shot at the WBO super flyweight crown currently held by Mexican Fernando "Cochulito" Montiel.

Banal (9-0, 8KOs), on the other hand, will try to prove he is ready for bigtime boxing in the United States when he clash head-on with IBF Pan-Pacific light flyweight titlist Angky Angkota (17-2, 11KOs) in the supporting main event.

International promoter Sammy Gello-ani announced in a press conference the other night at the Bilbao Room of Casino Español that they were already given the go signal by the WBO to stage the match as there is no definite schedule yet on Gorres' mandatory challenge against Montiel.

"We got an official word from the WBO allowing Gorres to fight before the mandatory status, which I personally got it when I was in Las Vegas. I fact, the person I talked to is the chairman of the WBO ratings committee (Luis Perez). He was telling us that this fight of Gorres has to be done," said Gello-ani.

Gello-ani said the official announcement regarding the fight of Gorres and Montiel will be made during the WBO Convention, which will be held late this month in Florida.

"Gorres and Montiel will not be allowed to go up against each other until such time the terms and conditions of the mandatory fight will be completed," said Gello-ani.

Gello-ani divulged that if the camp of Gorres and Montiel cannot agree on certain terms, the likely scenario is that there will be a purse bidding during the convention.

"If we win in the purse bidding, we will be requesting the WBO, if ever possible, that the fight will be held in the Philippines," said Gello-ani. "That is, of course, if Gorres wins (against Manakane). So this is really a good fight for Gorres before his WBO title shot."

With the chance of fulfilling his dream to become a world champion at his fingertips, Gorres cannot in any way afford to lose against Manakane.

Gorres (24-1-1, 12KOs), presently WBO ranked No.1, IBF No.5 and WBC No.6 jr. bantamweight contender, has not fought for four months now, but was impressive in his previous bout. He dropped Pedro Rincon Miranda in the first, fifth and 10th rounds on the way to a lopsided 10-round shutout victory last May 27 in Carson City, California.

Gorres must keep his guard up all the time against Manakane, who won his last two fights via stoppage.

Manakane beat Vicky Ceper by decision to win the Indonesian super bantamweight title in November 2003, but lost in his IBF Pan-Pacific featherweight title bid to Thai Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym by fourth round KO two years ago in Thailand.

Banal, on the other hand, braces for what is by far the toughest test in his blossoming career. Chief on Banal's mind is revenge against Angakota, who scored a stunning first round stoppaged of his ALA stablemate Rocky Fuentes two years ago in Jakarta.

Banal also seeks to be the first Filipino to beat Angkota, who boasts of victories over prominent Pinoy fighters in the likes of ex-WBA minimumweight champion Joma Gamboa, former PABA jr. flyweight titlist Marvin Tampus, ALA Boy Donnie Nietes, Isidro Lorona and Sonny Boy Jaro.

"This will be another test for Banal. This is the only way that we can say if he is really ready for the States because next year he will already be campaigning in the US," said ALA top honco Antonio "Bidoy" L. Aldeguer.

In the other feature of the SGG Promotions-presented card, up and coming ALA Boys Milan Melindo and Mark Jason Melliguen will show their stuff before the discriminating eyes of Cebuano ring buffs when they tackle Ricardo Albia and Ariel Salvaña, respectively.

The rest of the bouts pit Dennis Juntillano vs. Winnie Bartiquil, Jun Intor vs. Carlo Magale, Wilson Haya vs. Romnick Rapista, Fernando Otik vs. Abner Llanasa, and Gil Melliguen vs. Eric Crispino.