'War in the Ring' tonight in Mandaue: Gorres, Banal in crucial fights

ALA ring stars Z "The Dream" Gorres and AJ "Bazooka" Banal hope to hurdle the tough tasks when they collide against separate Indonesian foes in the co-feature of the explosive "War in the Ring" card starting this 7:00 p.m. at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

Gorres (24-1-1, 12KOs) will take on Indonesian super bantamweight champion Sonny Manakane (9-2-1, 4KOs) in a crucial tune-up fight, while Banal (9-0-1, 8KOs) takes on the hardest test in his budding career against reigning IBF Pan-Pacific light flyweight title-holder Angky "Time Bomb" Angkota (17-3, 11KOs).

During yesterday's official weigh-in at the Lai Garden Seafood and Restaurant in Crossroads, Gorres scaled in at 114.5 pounds, while Manakane had to shed off an extra pound before making the 116-pound weight limit.

There's no problem for Banal and Angkota, who both weighed in at 114 pounds.

Gorres is in a must-win situation against Manakane as he is set for a mandatory shot at the WBO super flyweight crown currently held by Mexican Fernando "Cochulito" Montiel.

Gorres was awesome in his previous fight, flooring Colombian Pedro Rincon "El Torito" Miranda in the first, fifth and 10th rounds on the way to a lopsided unanimous decision victory over 10 heats.

Manakane can't be taken for granted having won his last two matches via stoppage. He stopped Thai Pornchai Sithpraprom in the ninth round, before decking Filipino Richard Olisa in round eight on July 5 last year.

However, Manakane's 15-month layoff will work to his disadvantage.

Banal, on the other hand, braces for a herculean mission of diffusing the Indonesian "Time Bomb" Angkota.

Angkota also richly deserved to be nicknamed as "Filipino Terminator" as he sports a perfect record against Pinoy fighters. Among his victims were two ALA Boys - a stunning first round knockout of Rocky Fuentes and a split decision over Donnie "The Snake" Nietes.

The other prominent Pinoy warriors who knelt down before Angkota include former WBA minimumweight champion Joma Gamboa, ex-PABA light flyweight titlist Marvin Tampus, current Philippine champion Sonny Boy Jaro and Isidro Lorona of SSG Stable.

Banal though is unruffled by Angkota's impressive credential having beaten top foreign foes in the likes of Indonesian champion Ali Rochmad by fifth round stoppage and Thai Sing Carryboy by seventh round TKO.

Although a non-title bout, the Angkota match is crucial for Banal as this will gauge whether or not the pride of Corella, Bohol is ready to venture into bigtime boxing in the United States.

In the equally-exciting undercards, ALA stalwarts Mark Jason Melligen, a two-time SEA Games silver medallist when he was still an amateur, and Milan Melindo, who shot their stuff for the first time before the discriminating eyes of Cebuano fight fans.

Melligen, who carries a clean 4-0 slate with all his wins by knockout, will go up against last minute substitute Chris Alag of Cagayan de Oro City in a light welterweight brawl, while Melindo will square off against Ricardo Albia of Cebu City.

The rest of the bouts pit Joseph Omanz vs. Tata Galendez, Dennis Juntillano vs. Roldan Malinao, Jun Intor vs. Carlo Magale, Wilson Haya vs. Markyll Taroja, Fernando Otik vs. Elmer Colve and Gil Melligen vs. Jovy Merca.

Presented by SGG Sports Promotions of international promoter Sammy Gello-ani, the mega event will be broadcast on television by Solar Sports as part of its "Stars of the Future" boxing series.

Tickets are reasonably priced at Php500 for VIP/Sponsor, Php300 for ringside, Php200 for lower seat, and Php100 for general admission.