Banal to fight without Roach by his side

By Edri K. Aznar

RENOWED boxing train-er Freddie Roach won’t be in ALA boy AJ Banal’s corner when he faces Mexican veteran Jose Angel Beranza in the “Island Assault” boxing showdown on Aug. 29 in Hawaii because of personal matters he had to attend to.

Earlier this week, Roach, who molded Manny Pacquiao’s boxing style from a slugger to a complete fighter, said he wanted to be in Banal’s corner in Hawaii but because of an important appointment, he will miss the trip.

“As of now, he will not be able to make it because something came up,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu.

However, even if Roach won’t be in Banal’s corner this Sunday (RP time) in Hawaii, Aldeguer is still ecstatic with the new development as the famed trainer has shown interest in guiding the 19-year-old Cebuano fighter’s boxing career.

“We really wanted him in AJ’s corner,” said Aldeguer.

“But what’s important for us is the long-term plan of Freddie joining the team in all the future fights,” he said.

Aldeguer is planning to fly to the US in October or November to formalize the agreement with Roach.

He will also be there in the US to discuss the upcoming fights of his wards Z Gorres, who will be seeing action on Nov. 13, and welterweight prospect Mark Jason Melligen, who will be scheduled to fight on Oct. 17 and Dec. 12.

Banal is scheduled to fly to Hawaii today and will be accompanied by trainer Edmund Villamor and ALA Promotions vice president Dennis Cañete.

Banal has been on a two-fight winning streak since he lost to former world titleholder Rafael Concepcion in 2008 at the Cebu Coliseum.

He holds a record of 19 victories, a defeat and a draw with 16 knockouts.

On the other hand, Beranza is an experienced fighter with 32 wins, 15 losses and two draws with 25 knockouts.

He has fought the likes of former world champion Johnny Gonzales, one-time world title challenger Nestor Rocha and defeated World Boxing Organization super flyweight titlist Ivan Hernandez.


Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on August 27, 2009.