Proving they belong in ‘Pinoy Pride’

Three fighters in the undercard of ALA Promotions’ 28th edition of “Pinoy Pride” are out to steal the thunder from the main eventers at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino Ballroom in Lahug, Cebu City, on Nov. 15.

No question, the spotlight in the Waterfront bill will be on WBO lightflyweight champion Donnie Nietes of Murcia, Negros Occidental, and unbeaten superbantamweight prospect “Prince” Albert Pagara of Maasin, Southern Leyte. Nietes will stake his crown against Mexico’s Carlos Velarde while Pagara will defend his IBF Intercontinental 122-pound title against Mexico’s Raul Hirales.

But fans are just as excited to watch former WBO minimumweight titleholder Merlito Sabillo, Milan Melindo and A. J. Banal in action as they try to bounce back from painful losses in championship fights. ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer lined up the three fighters in the undercard to test if they’ve still got what it takes to stay in contention for a world title shot.

Sabillo, 30, lost his WBO 105-pound diadem to Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez via a 10th round stoppage in Monterrey last March and hopes for a new lease on life. He battles Indonesia’s Faris Nenggo in a tenner in “Pinoy Pride 28.” Nenggo, 25, has an 8-6-3 record, with 2 KOs compared to Sabillo’s 23-1-1, with 12 KOs. Sabillo wants to prove that his self-confidence wasn’t shattered by Rodriguez. If Sabillo intends to hang around for a chance to regain the throne, he’s got to beat Nenggo convincingly. The Indonesian has lost three of his last four outings, including two in a row, and shouldn’t be a problem but that all depends on how Sabillo rebounds from his defeat in Monterrey.

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“Sabillo needs more time (to recover) as he was really affected by his loss,” said Aldeguer. “We really don’t know where he is at now, mentally and emotionally, so we plan to bring him back slowly and see how he progresses by each fight before we make a decision if he is ready for another title shot.” His performance against Nenggo will be a gauge.

Melindo, 28, bowed to Mexico’s Juan Francisco Estrada on a unanimous 12-round verdict in Macau last year. The painful thing was the decision wasn’t close as the judges turned in scores of 118-109 twice and 117-109. That was Melindo’s one and only loss so far in his career. Since then, Melindo has beaten Mexicans Jose Alfredo Rodriguez and Martin Tecuapetla, both on points. In the Waterfont card, Melindo faces Mexico’s Saul Jaurez who totes a 20-3 record, with 15 KOs. Juarez has won six of his last seven assignments, including the last two, so he’s no patsy. Melindo’s record is 31-1, with 12 KOs.

“Milan has learned a lot from his first loss to Estrada and we believe that his time is now,” said Aldeguer. “In order for Milan to win, he has to fight his fight and not be dictated by Jaurez’ style. Milan has to be methodical for him to set the tempo of the fight to his advantage.”

The bout is a 12-round IBF lightflyweight title eliminator to determine the No. 1 contender. The IBF lightflyweight champion is Javier (Cobra) Mendoza of Mexico. The IBF has left the No. 1 and No. 2 slots vacant with Melindo at No. 3, Yu Kimura of Japan at No. 4, Filipino Jonathan Taconing at No. 5 and Juarez at No. 6.

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Finally, there is Banal who was stopped by Panama’s Rafael Concepcion in the 10th round for the interim WBA superflyweight title in 2008 and by Thailand’s Pungluang Sor Singyu in the 9th for the vacant WBO bantamweight crown two years ago. Banal, 25, has won 14 of his last 15, including three in succession since losing to Pungluang.

Banal meets Thailand’s Maxsaisai Sithsaithong on Nov. 15. The Thai veteran has a 15-5 record, with 4 KOs, but there is no posting of his fights from 2008 to 2011 so it’s likely he ventured into Muay Thai during that period. Sithsaithong’s five losses all came in overseas excursions, twice in the Philippines, twice in Australia and once in Japan. He has feasted on Filipino opponents in Thailand, victimizing the likes of Roger Maldecir, Sherwin Manatad, Jun de Asis, Elmer Muyco, Celso Danggod, Edgar Rodrigo, Eric Rapada and Dondon Jimenea. The Thai is coming off a first round knockout victory over Bandung Kiatnapachai.

Banal is listed No. 22 in the WBC bantamweight rankings but is nowhere to be found in the WBA, IBF and WBO honor rolls. Clearly, he has a lot of catching up to do in his chase for another world title crack.

“A. J. has gone through a lot of trauma with the way he lost in two world title bids,” said Aldeguer. “It is more of how he is mentally for him to get back to the world championship level. We need to watch and observe how he does in every fight then we will go from there. It isn’t about his stamina as we have already addressed the issue of stamina as shown with other ALA fighters but more so as to where he mentally is now.” Banal’s record of 31-2-1, with 22 KOs, is nothing to scoff at. But as Aldeguer explained, Banal has to show that beyond his credentials, he must display mental toughness in the long, hard road back to the limelight.  

Sabillo, Melindo and Banal are determined to prove their Pinoy Pride is as strong as ever.