Wednesday, September 19, 2007 Banal gets new foe in WBO title fight
THE World Boxing Organization has replaced AJ Banal’s opponent in the Asia Pacific super flyweight title fight at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Lahug on Sept. 30.
Genaro “Duro” Camargo was yanked by WBO from the title fight for violating the contract not to engage in a fight before the Sept. 30 playdate.
Camargo was replaced by Esau Gaona, who has a 10-3-0 record with 6 KOs.
Camargo lost the right to challenge Banal after he was downed in the third round in his fight against Carlos “El Salado” Yanex recently.
In his recent fight, Gaona took the Mexican Pacific Coast super flyweight crown after stopping Felipe Acosta in the sixth round last Aug. 10.
The Acosta encounter was a brawl and saw an exchange of hard fists that tested the fighters’ staying power. Gaona kissed the canvas in the 4th round.
Gaona returned the favor and downed Acosta the 5th and 6th rounds to turn the match in his favor.
Banal’s new foe also has a penchant for stopping his rivals early.
He earned his six knockouts against Mexicans Trinidad Ruiz and Francisco Paredes.
He also downed in the first round Roberto Castro and Juan Mercedes before stopping Acosta.
It is not also the first time for Gaona to fight a Filipino, or even an ALA Boy.
On March 12, 2006, he fought Along Denoy (11-6-0) in the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas in a 10-round non-title match.
Referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight in the 4th round due to a cut suffered by Gaona and the fight was declared a technical draw under the Nevada rules.
Sept. 30 would be Gaona’s second chance to beat a Filipino, but Banal might not just go with the script.
A deadly puncher, Banal has built an immaculate record of 14-0-1 with 11 KOs.
Of his 11 knockouts, three came in the first round.
In his two year career, Banal has built a repertoire and has scored wins against two Thais, an Indonesian, and two Mexicans.
He caught the fancy of the boxing scene when he defeated Juan Alberto Rosas of Mexico on May 5, and impressed the world when he stopped Jorge Cardenas in the third round. (PR)
