AJ "Bazooka" Banal (25-1-1 with 19 KOs) retained his WBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight Title after a controversial and bloody encounter with the trash talking Tyson Cave (15-2 with 5 KOs). Banal wins via technical unanimous decision over Cave after the fight was stopped in the eighth round due to a severe cut suffered by Banal due to an accidental head butt which happened early in the fifth round.
Referee Tony Pesons had to temporarily stop the fight three times in order for the ring physician, Dr. Jose Unabia to check the severe bleeding of the cut in the right eyebrow of AJ Banal. After the ring doctor examined the injury for the third time, he had no choice but to advise the referee to stop the fight because of the continuous bleeding, which obviously hampered the sight of the champion.
Banal posted a considerable advantage on all scorecards of three judges when the fight was stopped in the eighth round.
In the fight, Banal had to apply quick lateral movements in order to corner the unorthodox yet evading fighting style of the loud Canadian who had no plans of fighting Banal toe-to-toe which was made manifest in trying to run most of the time in order not to get hit and avoid the power punches of Banal.
The comical display of facial expression on the part of the challenger coupled with dancing prowess made the fight even more entertaining to the boxing fans.
Banal was able to land solid punches in the face of the challenger even if Cave did not want to engage war.
Tyson Cave boasted of having a better physique as seen in his abs.
It must be remembered that during the weigh-in, the loud and trash talking Canadian said that Banal cannot hit him at all because of his excellent fighting movement, but Banal responded that he would let his fists do the talking.
Interestingly, Banal was able to silence the loud and trash talking Canadian after he was declared a winner. But, after the announcement, Cave obviously could not accept the decision of the judges prompting him to display unwanted movements which irritated the crowd and booed him.
Indeed, the fight dubbed as “Pinoy Pride 7-Battle at Mactan” was a display of endurance, discipline and heart of Pinoy fighters who, even in times of troubles, difficulties and hardships manage to capture success.
Now I can see another Pinoy boxer who can make a big statement in the boxing world.
Nonito Donaire Jr. the number 3 pound for pound and Bantamweight king after signing a multi-year deal with Top Rank promotion last month is now planning to at least have 2 more fights before the end of the year. He is planning to fight in October and then in December, in naming the two potential opponents:
“We’re looking at Oct. 1 or 15. I still don’t know whom I’ll fight but I’d prefer a champion. It could be a Japanese or a Panamanian or whomever. Then, I’m hoping to fight in the undercard of the Antonio Margarito-Miguel Cotto" furthermore, Donaire added that is ready to face anybody Top Rank promoter Bob Arum picks for a possible fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on October 1.
LAPU-LAPU CITY—Donnie “Ahas” Nietes’ reputation as a fearless ring warrior must be giving the camp of Ramon Garcia Hirales the creeps.
Hirales’ handlers sought yet another postponement of the Mexican’s defense of his World Boxing Organization light flyweight (108 pounds) title against Nietes in Bacolod City.
Originally set in August, it was rescheduled for September. Just when the organizing ALA Promotions was finalizing details, however, there came a call from Team Hirales on Friday requesting that the showdown be moved to October as they need more time to prepare.
ALA bigwigs, Michael Aldeguer and his father Antonio, agreed, with consent from the co-organizing ABS-CBN Sports.
“Obviously, they want their boy to be better prepared against Nietes,” ALA vice president Dennis Canete told Manila-based sportswriters here to cover Pinoy Pride 7: Battle of Mactan being held at the Hoops Coliseum at presstime last night. “It’s okay as it will also give Nietes more time to train.”
According to Canete, the 29-year-old Nietes, who hails from Murcia, Negros Occidental, has been working out at the ALA Gym here and is ready to fight Hirales any time.
Apart from pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, Nietes is highly admired in Mexico for his toughness and big heart.
Nietes is perhaps the only foreign fighter who successfully defended his title (WBO minimum flyweight) in Mexico trice, the last against Mario Rodriguez in August 2010 in Sinaloa.
After holding court in the 105-pound class for five years, Nietes, who totes a 28-1 win-loss record with 16 knockouts, made his initial foray in the 108-lb division last April, knocking out Mexican Armando Vasquez in the first round at the University of St. La Salle Gym in Bacolod City.
That feat may have triggered the alarm bell in Hirales’ corner. If Nietes can do it in hostile territory, what more in his birthplace?
Hirales (16-2, including 9 knockouts) knows he must be at his best form to weather Nietes’ challenge.
courtesy of inquirer