Tuesday, May 20, 2008 Banal gets title fight By Edri K. Aznar Sun.Star Staff Reporter
MANNY Pacquiao, Gerry Peñalosa, Nonito Donaire, Donnie Nietes and Florante Condes are the names of present Filipino world champions.
Will AJ “Bazooka” Banal be added to that list of champions?
That question will be answered soon because Banal, at the age of 19, will face his most daunting task—a world title match against World Boxing Association rated No. 6 Rafael Concepcion of Panama for the vacant WBA super flyweight crown here in Cebu City on either June 21, July 12 or 19.
Michael Aldeguer, president of ALA Promotions, just received the news yesterday in an e-mail from international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz who talked with the executive president of the WBA Gilberto Mendoza Jr.,
The WBA president handpicked Banal for the title match.
“We received the formal confirmation today. This will be a very big development not only for ALA but also for Filipino boxing,” Aldeguer said in a press conference yesterday.
Banal was supposed to fight No. 3 rated Duangpetch Saengmorakot but he declined to face the Cebuano pugilist. Roberto Vasquez rated also refused the offer.
After hearing the astonishing news, the young Banal was ecstatic.
“I was very happy after I heard the news. I feel very happy and tireless,” said Banal after hearing the breathtaking news.
Edito “Ala” Villamor the chief trainer of ALA Gym believes that Banal has the skills necessary for a world championship match.
Complete
“Banal is ready for a world title fight. He is a complete fighter,” said Villamor.
Banal hasn’t seen the style of his opponent but he believes the only thing that matters is his rigid training.
“I haven’t seen him fight yet. I rely solely on my training. We’ll just see in the ring,” said Banal.
The WBA super flyweight title was vacated after Alexander Muñoz agreed to a unification bout with World Boxing Council super flyweight king Christian Mijares.
Banal is still undefeated in his young career as a professional boxer. He has a superb fight record of 17 wins and no losses and a draw and has 14 wins by knockout.
He is rated No.1 in International Boxing Federation after beating Caril Herrera with a TKO in the fourth round in their title eliminator at the Araneta Coliseum last April 6. He is rated No. 5 in WBC and No. 3 in World Boxing Organization.
Aldeguer will fly to Manila to talk with ABS-CBN and finalize everything.
Planned to join Banal in this boxing extravaganza will be fellow ALA boys Milan Melindo and Michael Domingo.
