MANILA, Philippines - AJ Banal is not fazed by the prospects of locking horns with Thai banger Pungluang Sor Singyu in their showdown for the vacant World Boxing Organization bantamweight title on Oct. 20 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
"He won't be using his legs (to kick me)," said Banal yesterday referring to his Thai foe, who used to be a practitioner of Muay Thai before taking up Western-style boxing.
Banal said he has Sor Singyu all figured out and is looking forward to claiming the title vacated by Mexican Jorge Arce before his countrymen.
"I am training hard and is very focused," said Banal, who has a 42-1-0 win-loss-draw card with 27 knockouts.
Sor Singyu, who sports a 28-1-1 with 20 knockouts, is eager to get into the ring as well and when told about Banal's plan to send him to dreamland, he just shrugged and dared the Filipino to do just that.
"We'll see, we'll see," said Sor Singyu, through interpreter and handler Michael Do.
Banal's trainer, Edmond Villamor, doesn't think the fight is going the distance of 12 rounds.
"Nine rounds at the most," said Villamor.
This will be Banal's second attempt at a world title after being stopped by Panamanian Rafael Concepcion in July 2008.
The Banal-Sor Singyu headliner will be dubbed Pinoy Pride, the regular boxing show of ABS-CBN and ALA Promotions.
ALA Promotions executive Chad Canares said he expects a night of fistic fireworks at the 18,000-seat venue.
Seeing action in the undercard will be veteran puncher Rey 'Boom Boom" Bautista and rising stars Genesis Servania and Jason Pagara.
