Former world champion Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo looks to get back on track when he takes on an Indonesian foe on Nov. 15 in the Pinoy Pride 28: History in the Making. (CDN FILE PHOTO)
The road to redemption as they say is often paved with many difficulties. But two ALA Gym fighters looking to regain lost ground are more than willing to take the challenge.
Merlito ‘Tiger’ Sabillo, a former WBO minimumweight champion, tries to roar once more, while AJ ‘Bazooka’ Banal, a two-time world title challenger, looks to continue making noise when they face separate foes in the ‘Pinoy Pride 28: History In The Making’ slated Nov. 15 at the Pacific Grand Ballroom of the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
The upcoming fight boasts of a star-studded cast with Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes putting his WBO light flyweight title on the line against Mexican challenger Carlos ‘Chapito’ Velarde.
Nietes is also gunning a piece of history as he is out to break Gabriel “Flash” Elorde’s record of being the longest reigning Filipino world champion.
So much is also at stake for Sabillo and Banal.
Sabillo (23W-1L-1D-12KOs) will be facing Indonesian Faris Nenggo (8-2, 6KOs), while Banal will duke it out with Thailand’s Maxsaisai Sithsaithong (15-5, 4KOs).
Sabillo, a native of Toboso, Negros Occidental, faltered in his title-retention bid when he lost to Francisco Rodriguez Jr. on March 22 in Monterrey, Mexico.
“It was a painful defeat but I learned so many things after that fight and I want to do it step by step until I can fight for the world title again,” said the 30-year-old Sabillo in a lunch meeting with a group of sportswriters hosted by ALA Promotions yesterday at St. Mark Hotel.
AJ “Bazooka” Banal will be facing a Thailander opponent in the Pinoy Pride 28: History in the Making where he will be gunning for his fourth straight victory after losing in a world title fight two years ago. (CDN FILE PHOTO)
Banal, on the other hand, will try to prove he still has what it takes to contend for a world title.
Banal (31-2, 22KOs) bungled two chances of winning a world title, the last was when he lost to Thailand’s Pungluang Sor Singyu two years ago at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“I am training hard because I want to show that I can still be a world champion. I just want to keep on winning until I get that chance,” said Banal, who has won his last three fight since that painful defeat against Sor Singyu.
Banal’s last fight was a second round TKO victory over Defry Palulu last June 21 at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
An added attraction in the upcoming card is the IBF light flyweight eliminator showdown between Milan ‘El Metodico’ Melindo and Mexico’s Saul Juarez, while Albert Pagara will try defend his IBF Inercontinental super bantamweight title against Raul Hiralles, also from Mexico.
Also seeing action in the undercard is ALA featherweight prospect Mark Jessel Magsayo (8-0, 6KOs), who be facing Moon Sun Jung (2-3-3) of South Korea.