Just seven months into his pro career, former amateur standout Kyle Lacanlale will make his fourth ring appearance this coming Saturday as part of the “Thunder Showdown II” event at the Venue at Thunder Valley at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Lincoln, California. Lacanlale will take on tough Brandon Badillo in a four-round featherweight attraction as he continues his rise a short ride from home.
Lacanlale (3-0, 2 KOs) of San Ramon, California made his pro debut just last August 31st, as he steamrolled his opponent in one minute before a vocal gathering in nearby Oakland. After scoring a second career stoppage in October, Lacanlale was taken the four-round distance for the first time in his last outing, November 30th in Tijuana, Mexico.
“That fight was fun,” says Lacanlale of his bout south of the border. “We went down there to get another fight in before the year ended. The fight went the four rounds and I got a unanimous decision. My opponent came in a little overweight and had eleven fights, so it was a good experience for me to go out there and go the four rounds. I was able to box him and get the win out there.”
Veteran Luis Antonio Macias had some extra poundage and a few veteran tactics that aided his ability to last the distance against Lacanlale. However, it is the type of fight that every young fighter needs to learn and grow before moving on to the next level.
“Our opponent didn’t make weight,” recalls Kyle’s father-trainer Lyndon Lacanlale. “He was five pounds heavier than our contract was, but we took the fight. [Kyle] could have done a little better. He was accepting the holds a little more than he should have. The guy was a crafty and held a lot. He fought defensively, basically. He was also a grown man at 27-years-old and he had some experience. There were little tricks they were doing as well, like using some vaseline, which makes it hard to make solid contact with the punches, with everything sliding off. I wish it would have went a little better, but Kyle got the win on the cards of all three judges.”
Like most young fighters, Lacanlale would have preferred to continued his knockout streak, but he was able to show he could go the four full rounds and finish strong. The knowledge gained will definitely serve Lacanlale as the competition gets tougher.
“Obviously, I want to get the knockout when I fight, but if it comes, it comes,” explains Kyle. “But I was able to box and dominate all four rounds. I felt like I was in control the whole fight. There wasn’t much for me to worry about and I felt like I could execute what I wanted to do in the ring.”
Next up this coming Saturday, Lacanlale will take on a better-than-his-record Brandon Badillo (0-3-1) of Lancaster County, South Carolina at the Thunder Valley Casino Resort in the Sacramento suburb of Lincoln, California.
“I’ve seen a little film on him,” says Kyle. “He’s a southpaw and I know he’s tough. All his losses were to high-ranked amateurs or guys with good professional records so far, so I am looking to go out there and make a statement. I am going to execute the game plan and hopefully come out with the stoppage.”
Originally Lacanlale and his team had agreed to fight an unbeaten opponent, before that fighter fell out and was replaced by the ultra tough Badillo.
“We had a different opponent that was 3-0 that dropped out for whatever reason, and Badillo stepped-in and I actually think he is a better fighter than the 3-0,” says Lyndon. “Some people will just look at his record and say he is a bum, but he’s not. He’s lasted in every fight. I’m expecting good things out of Kyle. I’m happy with a win, but I’d be even happier with a stoppage, just because these national champions [that have fought Badillo] couldn’t do it.”
Three fights in, on the verge of walking out for bout number four, Kyle Lacanlale is pleased with the path he has traveled thus far, while getting ready for what it is to come.
“I’m happy with what we have done since last year,” says Kyle, who hopes to stay active by fighting every couple months. “I had three fights in the last quarter of last year and I am getting ready for my fourth fight at the beginning of this year, so I am just going to continue to build and setting myself up for the future.”
Building a professional boxing career has similarities to building a home. Before anything else, you need a solid foundation. With a wealth of amateur experience and the beginnings of a well-planned pro career coming together, Lacanlale’s foundation looks strong. The young fighter continues to build this coming Saturday in Lincoln, before a supportive fanbase.
“They can expect a dominant performance,” predicts Kyle, whose next bout is already pegged for May 24th near home at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. “I have been training hard. I am sharp. I am ready and I am motivated. I am just going to go out there and do my best to show everyone the skills that I have.”
Very few tickets remain for Saturday’s event, promoted by Upper Cut Promotions, and are available online at uppercutpro.com
