AJ Banal may have knockout power but ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer wants his young ward to be patient in his upcoming World Boxing Organization Asia Pacific title fight against Big Yoo on July 17 at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex.
“He mustn’t be too tentative or overly aggressive. He must read his opponent before throwing the killer punch,” said Aldeguer in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu.
The 21-year-old Cebuano prospect suffered his first loss almost two years ago at the hands of Rafael Concepcion at the Cebu Coliseum. Banal was stopped by Concepcion in the 10th round of their interim World Boxing Association super flyweight battle, after running out of gas in an attempt to knock out the Panamanian.
Aldeguer feels Banal mustn’t take his opponent lightly because Yoo, a South Korea-based Japanese, may score an upset.
“AJ must box him first and not go for the knockout right away. He mustn’t be too overconfident and open up,” said Aldeguer, who added Yoo is a courageous fighter.
Although little is known about Yoo, he has an impressive resume with 16 wins and only three losses. He also has 11 knockouts and is ranked seventh in the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation. He once held the interim super flyweight title.
“We’ve watched him and he’s not bad. He comes to fight. It won’t be easy because he has nothing to lose,” said Aldeguer.
Yoo and his team are scheduled to arrive in the Philippines from Korea on Wednesday.
“This fight is important because this will gauge if AJ is ready to go to the next level,” said Aldeguer.
Aldeguer said if Banal wins impressively against Yoo, then they will book him with a fight against former world champion Luis Perez in Dubai this October.