Melindo, Banal upbeat on victory

CEBU, Philippines - Two of the most promising Filipino fighters of the ALA Gym, Milan "El Metodico" Melindo and AJ "Bazooka" Banal, both promised to finish their respective foreign opponents in the "Pinoy Pride 4: Philippines vs The World" this Saturday night at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

During the final press conference yesterday at the Aegian room of Waterfront, Melindo (23-0, 7KOs) and Banal (23-1, 18KOs) met face-to-face for the first time their foes Mexican Rosendo "El Matador" Vega (17-6, 11KOs) and Tanzanian Francis Miyeyusho (29-8-2, 17KOs).

"Di ko mo-underestimate niya kay nag-training pud siya pareha nako, pero magbantay lang gyud siya kay desidido ko nga mohimo og knockout," said Melindo.

But the Mexican Vega also has a mutual feeling with the Pinoy fighter, stating that Melindo has no capability of scoring a knockout especially in a boxer with his caliber. "I just did not come here to collect my purse because I trained hard for this fight and I'm ready to get a big win against Melindo," said Vega.

Same as his stablemate, Banal will also be trying to finish off Miyeyusho early in the fight to show his boxing fans and also his critics that he is for real after his controversial disqualification win against Luis Alberto Perez in "Pinoy Pride 1" last October, 2010.

"Paningkamoton nako nga mahuman mig dali, pero di sad ni pasabot nga magdali-dali ko sa away," said the pride of Brgy. Ermita.

But Miyeyusho does not feel intimidated of Banal's punching power for he has his own punching bombs to unleash during fight night. " I came prepared for this fight training for two rough months and I will show that I can trade hard punches with him."

In the equally-exciting supporting bout, ALA knockout artist and reigning OPBF flyweight champion Rocky “The Road Warrior” Fuentes (29-6, 18KOs) will try to score an impressive knockout as he takes Indonesian Jemmy “Boom Boom” Gobel (15-7, 12KOs).

Japanese WBO AsPac super bantamweight champion Kenichi "Machine Gun" Yamaguchi (16-1,4KOs), promised a win against Cagayan De Oro native Marjohn Yap (14-5, 7KOs) for his country which has been recently devastated by natural calamities.

Also, promising Canadian prospect Steve "The Dragon" Claggett (11-0, 6KOs) will also get toe-to-toe against Davaoeño Romeo Jakosalem (11-4-2, 5KOs).

The official weigh-in will be held at 11am today at the SM City Cebu event Center.  (FREEMAN)