THE THREE “NEW” PRINCES OF PHILIPPINE BOXING
13 October, 2006 by Reylan Loberternos
“FILIPINO CONNECTION’S” PERSONAL CHOICES
Tagbilaran City, RP-Let me introduce the next generation of boxing stars coming out of the Philippine islands, one of which maybe the next Manny Pacquiao. The three that I like most are Alex John Banal, Mark Jason Melliguen, and Milan Melindo. If you have seen or read about any of these young Pinoy protagonists, just read on and distinguish whether my observations correspond to yours or not.
“BAZOOKA” BETTER THAN “PACMAN” WAS AT THIS AGE?
Seventeen-year-old boxing sensation Alex John “Bazooka” Banal (9-0-1, 8 KOs) has recently been compared to Filipino ring idol Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (42-3-2, 33 KOs) who also started his professional boxing career at the very tender age of sixteen. Like Pacquiao, this dynamite-fisted super flyweight, now ranked by the WBO Asia-Pacific as its #2 contender, is also a southpaw and coincidentally born in the mountainous province of Bukidnon, Philippines.
FOES DON’T LAST LONG WITH BANAL
Only one of Banal’s nine opponents so far has made it through the last round, as compared to Pacquiao’s only four KOs in his 1st ten stints within the squared circle. AJ has also arguably had better competition, with four of his most recent fights against foreign counterparts. His latest victim was Thai flyweight champion Sing Carryboy (11-1-0, 9 KOs) who sported an immaculate record going into the fight, but could not withstand “Bazooka’s” punishing blows, as he refused to continue the bout before the start of the seventh round. Two months before that fateful evening, erstwhile-unbeaten Indonesian super flyweight champion Ali Rochmad (12-1-0, 9 KOs) was decked twice in the opening session, before Banal connected with a cracking left to the jaw in the fifth round to end the night for the challenger.
DEADLY BOXER-PUNCHER COMBINATION!
Unlike Pacquiao, Banal has had a vast amateur background. He bagged the Gold in the 2000 edition of the Philippine National Games, when he was barely eleven years old. Two years later, AJ repeated that feat, while also winning numerous amateur boxing tournaments in various parts of the Philippine archipelago. This kid has excellent footwork and sound fundamentals, with a variety of punches to boast. With the posed question above, you be the judge!
“MJM GRAND” PACKS A PUNCH!
Another bright spot on the Philippine boxing scene is twenty-year-old welterweight and two-time Southeast Asian Games Silver medallist Mark Jason “MGM Grand” Melliguen (4-0-0, 4 KOs). This heavy-handed lefty was already among the Class-A members of the Philippine Olympic Boxing Team before he decided to try his luck in the professional ranks. This be-medalled athlete has so far subdued all his foes, three of which did not go past the first round. The unexpected jump might be attributed to the fact that Melliguen’s powerful fists, one of his biggest assets, are providing a bigger premium in the professional ranks than in the amateurs, where speed and skill are the top priority. But, don’t get me wrong on this because “MGM Grand” has got some skills too! His two runner-up finishes in a tournament that pitted the best boxers in the Southeast Asian region should be more than enough proof of his exceptional talent. For a pugilist his size, he’s fast on his feet and can certainly box if he has to.
MELINDO IS SYNONIMOUS TO “FINESSE”!
Two-time Philippine National Games gold medallist Milan “Finesse” Melindo (6-0-0, 1 KO) might not be as vicious as Banal and Melliguen are, but his graceful and slick boxing style is definitely a beauty to behold. Many observers have described this twenty-one-year-old boxing phenom as an outstanding ring tactician who exudes ring generalship like a grizzled veteran. He can literally dominate his foe with just one hand, without even unleashing his killer fist. Accuracy, precision, and efficiency are his forte.
ONE THING THe THREE HAVE IN COMMON
All three of these young hopefuls are under the umbrella of ALA Boxing Stable, arguably the Philippines’ best, owned and managed by respected boxing impresario Antonio Lopez Aldeguer. Chief trainer and two-time world title contender Edito “ALA” Villamor (29-2-1, 26 KOs), who once fought eight exciting rounds with the legendary Ricardo “Finito” Lopez (51-0-1, 38 KOs), heads the competent cast of knowledgeable coaches. Villamor, after two unsuccessful attempts at capturing a world championship belt, hopes to finally snatch one or more, as his students reach the dream that he failed to achieve.
THREE PRINCES STRUT STUFF ON GORRES CARD!
On the 21st of this month, AJ Banal is going to face yet another dangerous opponent in IBF Pan Pacific light flyweight titlist and Indonesian flyweight champion Angky “Time Bomb” Angkota (17-3-0, 11 KOs) in what could be the Pinoy pug’s toughest assignment so far in his budding career. This will be on the undercard of a tune-up bout between another ALA boy WBO super flyweight #1 contender Z “The Dream” Gorres (25-1-1, 13 KOs) and Indonesian Sonny Manakane (9-2-1, 4 KOs) for the former’s possible crack at the WBO super flyweight belt before the year ends. Mark Jason Melliguen and Milan Melindo will also have the chance to showcase their talent on the same fight card.
“FILIPINO CONNECTION’S” PERSONAL CHOICES
Tagbilaran City, RP-Let me introduce the next generation of boxing stars coming out of the Philippine islands, one of which maybe the next Manny Pacquiao. The three that I like most are Alex John Banal, Mark Jason Melliguen, and Milan Melindo. If you have seen or read about any of these young Pinoy protagonists, just read on and distinguish whether my observations correspond to yours or not.
“BAZOOKA” BETTER THAN “PACMAN” WAS AT THIS AGE?
Seventeen-year-old boxing sensation Alex John “Bazooka” Banal (9-0-1, 8 KOs) has recently been compared to Filipino ring idol Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (42-3-2, 33 KOs) who also started his professional boxing career at the very tender age of sixteen. Like Pacquiao, this dynamite-fisted super flyweight, now ranked by the WBO Asia-Pacific as its #2 contender, is also a southpaw and coincidentally born in the mountainous province of Bukidnon, Philippines.
FOES DON’T LAST LONG WITH BANAL
Only one of Banal’s nine opponents so far has made it through the last round, as compared to Pacquiao’s only four KOs in his 1st ten stints within the squared circle. AJ has also arguably had better competition, with four of his most recent fights against foreign counterparts. His latest victim was Thai flyweight champion Sing Carryboy (11-1-0, 9 KOs) who sported an immaculate record going into the fight, but could not withstand “Bazooka’s” punishing blows, as he refused to continue the bout before the start of the seventh round. Two months before that fateful evening, erstwhile-unbeaten Indonesian super flyweight champion Ali Rochmad (12-1-0, 9 KOs) was decked twice in the opening session, before Banal connected with a cracking left to the jaw in the fifth round to end the night for the challenger.
DEADLY BOXER-PUNCHER COMBINATION!
Unlike Pacquiao, Banal has had a vast amateur background. He bagged the Gold in the 2000 edition of the Philippine National Games, when he was barely eleven years old. Two years later, AJ repeated that feat, while also winning numerous amateur boxing tournaments in various parts of the Philippine archipelago. This kid has excellent footwork and sound fundamentals, with a variety of punches to boast. With the posed question above, you be the judge!
“MJM GRAND” PACKS A PUNCH!
Another bright spot on the Philippine boxing scene is twenty-year-old welterweight and two-time Southeast Asian Games Silver medallist Mark Jason “MGM Grand” Melliguen (4-0-0, 4 KOs). This heavy-handed lefty was already among the Class-A members of the Philippine Olympic Boxing Team before he decided to try his luck in the professional ranks. This be-medalled athlete has so far subdued all his foes, three of which did not go past the first round. The unexpected jump might be attributed to the fact that Melliguen’s powerful fists, one of his biggest assets, are providing a bigger premium in the professional ranks than in the amateurs, where speed and skill are the top priority. But, don’t get me wrong on this because “MGM Grand” has got some skills too! His two runner-up finishes in a tournament that pitted the best boxers in the Southeast Asian region should be more than enough proof of his exceptional talent. For a pugilist his size, he’s fast on his feet and can certainly box if he has to.
MELINDO IS SYNONIMOUS TO “FINESSE”!
Two-time Philippine National Games gold medallist Milan “Finesse” Melindo (6-0-0, 1 KO) might not be as vicious as Banal and Melliguen are, but his graceful and slick boxing style is definitely a beauty to behold. Many observers have described this twenty-one-year-old boxing phenom as an outstanding ring tactician who exudes ring generalship like a grizzled veteran. He can literally dominate his foe with just one hand, without even unleashing his killer fist. Accuracy, precision, and efficiency are his forte.
ONE THING THe THREE HAVE IN COMMON
All three of these young hopefuls are under the umbrella of ALA Boxing Stable, arguably the Philippines’ best, owned and managed by respected boxing impresario Antonio Lopez Aldeguer. Chief trainer and two-time world title contender Edito “ALA” Villamor (29-2-1, 26 KOs), who once fought eight exciting rounds with the legendary Ricardo “Finito” Lopez (51-0-1, 38 KOs), heads the competent cast of knowledgeable coaches. Villamor, after two unsuccessful attempts at capturing a world championship belt, hopes to finally snatch one or more, as his students reach the dream that he failed to achieve.
THREE PRINCES STRUT STUFF ON GORRES CARD!
On the 21st of this month, AJ Banal is going to face yet another dangerous opponent in IBF Pan Pacific light flyweight titlist and Indonesian flyweight champion Angky “Time Bomb” Angkota (17-3-0, 11 KOs) in what could be the Pinoy pug’s toughest assignment so far in his budding career. This will be on the undercard of a tune-up bout between another ALA boy WBO super flyweight #1 contender Z “The Dream” Gorres (25-1-1, 13 KOs) and Indonesian Sonny Manakane (9-2-1, 4 KOs) for the former’s possible crack at the WBO super flyweight belt before the year ends. Mark Jason Melliguen and Milan Melindo will also have the chance to showcase their talent on the same fight card.
posted by Reylan | 5:12 PM
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