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BANAL, DONAIRE,
HAYES
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World
title-hungry Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista and AJ "Bazooka"
Banal are keenly awaiting for their next fights even as the
only world champion of Boholano traits - Nonito "The
Filipino Flash" Donaire, Jr., is looking forward for
a unification fight against the WBC or WBA titlist in the
near future.
Following
his stunning 8th round demolition against Mexican Jovanny
"Bambino" Soto last Sunday, the Pride of Corella,
Bohol who will turn 19 this coming December 28, has been booked
to headline in the main event in the planned card this coming
April. Banal stopped the more-experienced Soto to retain his
WBO Youth flyweight crown on the undercard of the Bautista-Meza
title bout at the Araneta Coliseum.
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In
his weekly topnotch radio program 'Mayor's Report,'
Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim, one of the pillars
of the highly-successful "payback" boxing
extravaganza bared yesterday Banal's coming fight will
keep the boy active in preparation for the big one.
Bohol's
top boxing benefactor closely coordinated with former
PBA commission Noli Eala of Third Force Promotions.
The
sports-loving city chief executive could not confirm
Bautista's next fight since the Candijay-born fighter
is under contract with the Golden Boy Promotions of
boxing great Oscar de la Hoya. Both Banal and Bautista
are adopted sons of Tagbilaran and members of the famed
ALA Stable of boxing patron Antonio Lopez Aldeguer.
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Both
fighters arrived here Tuesday together with trainer Edito
"Ala" Villamor amid a rousing welcome from fight
fans.
Bohol's
tourism industry also got a big boost with the arrival here
last week of the world's sexiest ring announcer, Amy Hayes.
Ms. Hayes who was Sunday's ring announcer was accompanied
by his father upon the invitation of Mayor Dan Lim.
The
21-year-old Bautista, on the other hand, retained his WBO
Intercontinental super bantam belt with a 12-round unanimous
decision over tough-as-nail Antonio "Barrio" Meza
in his comeback fight headlining the Philippines vs. Mexico
card.
IBF/IBO
flyweight kingpin Donaire kept his title with a devastating
8th round stoppage against mandatory challenger Luis Maldonado
in Connecticut, USA. He is slated to arrive here on December
12 upon invitation of Solar Sports, pay courtesy call to Pres.
Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo and visit his ailing 95-year-old grandfather
in Talibon, Bohol as reported by boxing expert and sports
analyst Quinito Henson of the Philippine Star.
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