Banal in make or break fight

CEBU, Philippines - ALA Boxing Gym stalwart AJ "Bazooka" Banal will definitely fight for a world title this year. No less than ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael P. Aldeguer assured that.

But before thinking about it, Banal (26-1-1,19KOs) needs to hurdle first a tough obstacle in his road to glory as he battles Mexican hard-puncher Raul "El Bule" Hidalgo (15-5, 11KOs) in the main event of the "Pinoy Pride 13" on March 24 at the Pacific grand ballroom of Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

 "Banal will definitely fight for a world title this year," said Aldeguer during a news conference yesterday at the Cityscape Hotel along Panagdait road in Brgy. Kasambangan, this city. "But he has to go through this guy (Hidalgo) first. This is something he has to take seriously."

"It's a make or break fight for him. He is risking his standing as world No.1. This is really his road to glory," added Aldeguer.

If he gets past Hidalgo, Aldeguer said they will already start negotiating for a world championship bout for his prized ward.

The top-ranked Banal is the mandatory challenger to reigning WBO bantamweight champion Jorge 'Travieso' Arce of Mexico. He also has a pending offer from the International Boxing Federation to take on South African Vusi Malinga for the IBF 118-pound belt.

"We're still weighing our options but we would likely go for the WBO because Arce is a big name. But Arce has plans to move up in weight so it's really a wait and see thing for us," said Aldeguer.

When asked if Banal is likely to face Arce if the Mexican won't push through with his plan, Aldeguer quickly replied:"There could be a possibility."

For his part, Banal said he doesn't feel any pressure of putting his career on the line against Hidalgo, a certified knockout artist who notched 11 of his 15 wins via stoppage including seven within two rounds.

"I been through that kind situation and I don't feel any pressure this time because I've learned my lessons well from my past mistakes," said Banal referring to his devastating 10th round knockout loss to Panamian Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion three years ago at the Cebu Coliseum.

Banal is on a nine-fight winning streak since absorbing his first and only defeat, so far.

"I'm very excited and I've never been this confident in my career. I will just give my best against Hidalgo so that I can achieve my goal of fighting for a world championship," added the reiging WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion.

 Also seeing action in the mega-boxing event presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports are OPBF flyweight champion Rocky "The Road Warrior" Fuentes and the undefeated ALA mainstays Albert "The Prince" Pagara (10-0, 8KOs) and Arthur Villanueva (17-0, 12KOs). (FREEMAN)