'Most expensive show' Pinoy Pride XVII formally launched; Pungluang upbeat on beating Banal

CEBU CITY, Philippines  — The 17th installment of the highly-successful "Pinoy Pride" series was formally launched yesterday, with ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael P. Aldeguer branding it as one of most expensive events in the annals of Philippine boxing.

ALA Boxing Gym star AJ "Bazooka" Banal (28-1-1, 20KOs) and Thai punching dynamo Pungluang Sor Singyu (42-1, 27 KOs) will headline the blockbuster show slated on October 20 at the 15,000-seater Arena of the Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

At stake in their 12-round rumble is the WBO bantamweight championship.

"Finally it's here. It's one of the hardest negotiations we ever had and I'm very thankful to One Songchai Promotions of Thailand for helping us bring this fight here," said Aldeguer in a news conference at Cafe Uno of the five-star Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

So broad the financial scope is that Aldeguer said the expenditures they will defray for one of the main protagonists could bankroll one sequel of a regular Pinoy Pride card.            

"Maybe it's the second biggest event of Philippine boxing after the "Thrilla in Manila," said Aldeguer, referring to the historic match-up of heavyweight greats Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier at the Araneta Coliseum in Manila way back in 1975.

The momentous affair was also graced by WBO Vice President for International and Asia-Pacific Leon Panoncillo. "It's always a pleasure to come to Cebu to kick off this fight. We're very proud to be sanctioning this huge event," the amiable WBO executive said.

Filipino slayer

Pungluang has been known for beating Filipino boxers back in his homeland. Things would be completely different now that he's the one who is coming over to the country.

 But he thinks otherwise.

Pungluang even expressed confidence of sustaining his streak of 14 wins against Pinoy pugs even if he's fighting at enemy's lair.

 "He (Banal) is a good fighter. He is strong but I am stronger than him. I think I can beat him," said Pungluang through his interpreter Michel Do. "I like Filipino boxers. I beat all of them and I'm going to beat him too."

Pungluang said it doesn't matter if even if the match will be staged at the territory of Banal.

"I'm happy to fight in the Philippines. Fighting in Thailand is like fighting in the Philippines. There is no stress for me, nothing," the Thai warrior said. "Banal has prepared hard for this. It's going to be a tough fight for both of us."

When pressed further on how he is going to deal with a possible hometown decision, Pungluang replied: " want to win by knockout."

Pungluang need not worry though for such kind of scenario to happen as Panoncillo assured that the WBO will assign a panel of respected international judges.

"There will be no hometown decision, I can guarantee that. I am going to supervise the fight and there will no Asian judges. An international panel of judges will be assigned so everyone will be neautral in decision making," assured Panoncillo.

Banal, for his part, was cool enough in taking Pungluang's brazen remarks.

"If he's aiming for a knockout, then I will try my best to knock him out first. But for now, all I can say is that it's going to be a great bout and I will give my very best to make an impression before my fellow countrymen," said Banal, who hopes to exorcise the ghost that kept on haunting him since his devastating 10th round knockout loss to Panamian Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion in his first world title attempt four years ago at the Cebu Coliseum.

"I've learned my lessons well from that defeat and I believe it helped me a lot to become a better boxer now," added Banal. (FREEMAN)