RP boxers Melindo, Banal ready for challenge

American Anthony Villareal got theatrical during Wednesday’s weigh-in for his 10-round title fight against Filipino challenger Milan Melindo when he showed up holding a slice of pizza at the SM Event Centre in Cebu City.

Although the defending World Boxing Council (WBC) youth international flyweight champion didn’t take a single bite, it was his way of sending a message that he came over to the country in top shape and fit to defend his title.

"This is our fight. Anthony’s got too much size, speed and power," said Villareal’s trainer Alberto Franco on his ward who is still undefeated in his last five fights and hold a 9-2 record with four KOs,

But the trick hardly sowed fear in Melindo’s heart.

"Kondisyon tayo. Hindi ako natatakot sa kanya (We are in good condition. I’m not afraid of him)," said the unbeaten Filipino challenger who boasts of a 19-0 record with five KOs.

Both fighters came in at the same weight of 109lbs, setting the stage for their title showdown Thursday night that serves as the main event of the "Bakbakan Sa Sinulog" boxing card at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

Comebacking bantamweight prospect AJ "Bazooka" Banal, a protégée of Cebu-based ALA Boxing Promotions, is seeing action in the main undercard of the boxing program as he takes on two-time world title contender Cecilio Santos of Mexico in another 10-round bout.

The 21-year old Banal (20-1, 16 KOs) has won his last three fights since that shocking first career loss to Rafael Concepcion of Panama at the Cebu Coliseum last year.

"Kinalimutan na po natin ‘yun (We already put that behind us)," he said of the setback to Concepcion. "Ang mahalaga nakabalik na tayo at ready na para sa laban na ito (What’s important is we regrouped and we’re now ready for the fight)."

Santos is already 31 and has a career record of 24-11 with 14 KOs.

But he has fought with the best in the past, including failed title bids against Dmitri Kirilov (International Boxing Federation super-flyweight crown) and Fernando Montiel (World Boxing Organization super-flyweight championship), as well as a loss against Wilfredo Vazquez Jr – the same man Marvin Sonsona will be facing for the WBO super-bantamweight belt next month.

Banal came in at 118lbs while Santos was a shade higher at 119.

Melindo and Banal later ate spaghetti, banana and mongo for lunch shortly after the weigh-in.

Smart Sports head Patrick Gregorio said Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) chairman Manny V. Pangilinan might come over on the day of the fight itself to watch the entire boxing promotion, spiced up with a pair of bouts featuring ABAP.

The other supporting events will have Filipino James Bacon taking on Thitichon Singwancha of Thailand in a 10-round featherweight bout and Larry "Bon Jovi" Canillas clashing with another Thai in Petch Twins Gym in a super-bantamweight slugfest for eight rounds.

*source: gmanews.tv