Saturday, July 05, 2008 AJ’s date with history By Edri K. Aznar Sun.Star Staff Reporter
IF he wins on July 26 at the Cebu Coliseum against Panamanian brawler Rafael Concepcion in their World Boxing Association super flyweight battle, not only will young boxing phenomenon AJ “Bazooka” Banal bring glory to the Philippines by becoming another world champion but he will also become the third youngest Filipino to hold a world championship belt.
“This will be a historical fight if ever he wins, he will be the third youngest Pinoy boxer to win a world title,” said ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer in a press conference formally announcing the fight card yesterday at the Chika-an restaurant in Lahug.
Banal will turn 20 this Dec. 28, while Concepcion turned 26 just last month.
Former WBA light welterweight titlist Morris East was the youngest Filipino to ever hold a world title, while former WBA super featherweight titleholder Ben Villaflor is second and World Boxing Council lightweight king Manny Pacquiao is currently third youngest.
Banal’s trainer Edmund Villamor feels that Concepcion’s Achilles’ heel is his body so they must target that area and utilize jabs to prevent him from coming too close.
“I think Concepcion’s weakness is his body. He is a fighter who likes to get close so jabs will be very important so that he will back up,” said ALA Gym trainer Villamor.
The winner of the Banal (17-0-1, 14 KO’s) and Concepcion (10-2-1, 6 KO’s) fight will be defending the WBA belt against the winner of the September title eliminator between no.1 contender Nobou Nashiro (11-1, 7 KO’s) and no.2 rated Kohei Kono (21-3, 7 KO’s).
Exhibition
In the main supporting bout World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific minimum weight champion Milan “Milenyo” Melindo (15-0, 4 KO’s) will be pitted against another Panamanian, WBC Fecarbox titlist Carlos Melo (18-6, 2 KO’s) for the vacant WBA Intercontinental belt.
Melindo is ranked no.2 in WBO but is being built up in WBA so as not to clash with fellow ALA boy WBO minimum weight kingpin Donnie “Ahas” Nietes.
If Melindo will win this regional title he will improve his rating in WBA which is currently at no.10.
Meanwhile, Aldeguer said they are overwhelmed by the brisk ticket sales for the Banal fight and is urging fight fans to get their tickets first as early as possible.
The card will also have two special bouts with lady fighter Brenda Shaylor of Las Vegas going against Reynalyn Consejo Jacob of Bacolod and WBA president Gilberto Mendoza banging up with retired fighter and former Philippine champion Ernie Alesna for three rounds.
Others slated to fight are veteran Michael Domingo (35-14-2, 14 KOs) who is set to face Chaiyong Sakkreerin of Thailand; James Bacon (4-1, 3 KOs) who will be up against Thai Vacharakit Senakarn; Rocky Fuentes (20-6-2, 12 KOs) of ALA Gym who will slug it out with Roldan Malinao (3-4, 2 KOs) of Butuan City; Robert Allanic (17-4, 9 KOs) of ALA Gym who will trade leathers with Leonardo Doronio (3-0-2, 2 KOs) of Metro Manila; Hilario Canillas (2-0, 1 KO) of Toledo City who will clash with Ramil Cabalan (0-1) of Butuan City.
