By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Mbwana Matumla, “The African Golden Boy" has warned AJ “Bazooka” Banal to prepare for a rough night in the “Tuloy ang Pagsubok” fight card presented by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN and ALA Promotions at the Cebu Coliseum on Saturday.
Both Matumla (18-3, 10 KO's), the former IBO super flyweight champion who at one time was ranked No. 5 by the WBA and Banal (18-1-1, 15 KO's) who is currently rated No. 6 by the IBF and No. 9 by the WBA gave each other dagger looks in the face-off after both made the 119 pound limit at the official weigh-in held Friday at a crowded SM Entertainment Center.
Matumla tried to psyche Banal saying he would run roughshod over him like a “tsunami” and erase him from the world rankings while Banal, refusing to back off said the African will face the full might of a series of bazookas that will blow him to bits in the ring Saturday night.
Matumla is handled by Emmanuel Malunda who promised fight fans that Banal is in for "a rough night and a bloody brawl" since the African is a rugged, aggressive fighter with a vicious left hook.
ALA Gym trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor said he was certain it would be a good fight and a crucial test for Banal. Villamor said they had studied fight tapes of Matumla and noted that “while he is good and aggressive, he appears unable to take good body shots and that’s where AJ will get him.”
Czar Amonsot also had no trouble making the lightweight limit for his fight with Kenya’s super featherweight champion Morris “Virus” Chule who threatened to spread his “virus” and wipe out the future title hopes of Amonsot who is best remembered for a brave effort in a WBO lightweight interim title fight which he lost on points to hard-hitting Australian Michael Katsidis at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas on July 21, 2007.
Both Amonsot and Banal who lost by a stunning 10th round knockout in a WBA Interim title fight against Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion on July 26, 2008 both won their first comeback fights in style last January 31. Banal scored a 4th round knockout win over Indonesian champion Nouldy Manakane while Amonsot won by a 5th round TKO over another tough Indonesian Zoel Fidal.
Despite his disappointing loss to Concepcion, scores of boxing fans crowded around Banal to take photos, get autographs and talk to him after the weigh-in, giving weight to astute Top Rank promoter Bob Arum’s statement that just because a fighter loses one or two fights on what could be a bad night, it doesn’t mean he cannot become a world champion using Filipino hero Manny Pacquiao as the finest example of his belief.
Pacquiao was knocked out in his eleventh pro fight by Rustico Torrecampo but soon went on to win the OPBF title and then the WBC flyweight title with an 8th round knockout of Thai hero Chatchai Sasakul before being knocked out and losing his title to Medgoen 3K Battery and then coming back to win the IBF super bantamweight title with a smashing 6th round TKO over Lelohonolo Ledwaba.
The most intriguing fight on the card that will be telecast on ABS-CBN’s Studio 23 at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday is expected to be the 136 pound battle between young Jason Pagara (17-1, 9 KO’s) and Indonesian Hero Katili (20-6-1, 9 KO’s) who impressed fans in a ten-round unanimous decision over South Korea’s Doo Suk Oh at a fight card at the Waterfront Hotel on September 30, 2007.
Former Australian champion Jeff "Flash" Malcolm who has fought several Filipinos during his career including world champion Morris East and Dindo Canoy said Pagara "is stepping up another level and better be ready because Katili is good and strong." ALA Gym patron Tony Aldeguer revealed that Pagara wanted the fight which should be an early test of his potential.
