YOUNG and promising Cebuano sensation AJ “Bazooka” Banal never ceased to amaze boxing spectators and following his tremendous performance above the ringof Ermita, Cebu City, rose four notches in the WBO world super-flyweight ranking when he scored a unanimous decision over the hand-punching and comparatively experienced Jose Alberto Rosas of Mexico last May 5 in Las Vegas, Nevada, the 18-year-old native .
In its May 20 rankings release , Banal is now No. 10, making him very eligible to challenge reigning WBO champion Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel for the world title.
However, his ranking in WBA and IBF stays at No. 14 and No.15 respectively.
Rising
Noticeable in the latest rating release is the inclusion of light-flyweight Bert Batawang in the top 15 list of the WBO super-flyweight. The 35-year-old Cebuano hard puncher who is also ranked No.12 IBF junior flyweight contender is listed as WBO No.14 super-flyweight.
Boholano sensation Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista has also improved from WBC. No. 5 to WBC No. 3 in the bantamweight rating. Bautista fortified his hold at No.1 and mandatory challenger status to WBO super-bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon of Mexico after his unanimous decision win over No. 2 contender Sergio Manuel Medina of Argentina.
Super-flyweight campaigner ALA Boy Z “The Dream” Gorres also moved up from No.6 to WBA No. 2 contender to the belt of Nabuo Nashiro of Japan. Gorres is also ranked No. 14 contender to Mexican WBC 115lb champion Christian Mijares, IBF No. 7 and WBO No. 4. (RCM)
