AJ Banal to clash with Canadian champion in 'Pinoy Pride 7' slugfest

CEBU, Philippines - It will be a tough test before a career-defining fight for ALA bantamweight mainstay AJ “Bazooka” Banal as he takes on rising Canadian sensation Tyson “Prince of Hali” Cave in the main event of the “Pinoy Pride 7: Battle at Mactan” on July 30 at the multi-million Hoopsdome in Brgy. Gun-ob, Lapu-Lapu City.

After an impressive second round knockout of Tanzanian Francis Miyeyusho last March 9, the 22-year-old pride of Brgy.Ermita hopes to bask in the spotlight anew as he battles Cave in a bout that will serve as a measuring stick if he's ready for a rematch with his former tormentor Rafael Concepcion of Panama.

“Cave will serve as a test for AJ and if he can pull an impressive win, then it will be the time that we will bring here Concepcion for a rematch,” said ALA Promotions CEO Michael Aldeguer during a news conference yesterday at the Savannah Grill and Lounge of Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.

But Aldeguer reminded Banal that he is not facing an easy oppone in Cave, the reigning WBC Continental Americas super bantamweight champion who is pictured out as a fighter with the same style as that of the great Muhammad Ali.

“Cave is no fluke, he will come here thinking he is the hottest prospect from Canada,” said Aldeguer. “This will really serve as a proving ground for Banal before the Concepcion fight that will probably held in September or October.”

After he suffered his first career loss at the hands of Concepcion last July, 2008, Banal (24-1, 19KOs) is on a seven-fight winining streak.

Banal, for his part, admitted he is going up against a very interesting foe. “Bag-o pa lang gyud nako nakita ang iyang away sa Youtube, mura gyud siyag si Ali, maayo sad kay musukol og patay,” he said.

In the supporting main event, the comebacking Michael Domingo (40-15-5, 18KOs) returns from a year-long hiatus against Richard Samosir (18-3-3, 7KOs) of Indonesia.

Also seeing action in the undercard is Mindanao knockout artist Lorenzo Villanueva (20-0-0, 19KOs) of North Cotabato, who will once again try to score a jaw-dropping stoppage against Eddy Camaro (24-10-4, 9KOs) of Indonesia. (FREEMAN)