Philippines, 02 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


GOMEZ SAYS BANAL VS HERRERA MAY STEAL THE SHOW


PhilBoxing.com




Golden Boy Promotions vice president and international matchmaker Eric Gomez says the IBF junior bantamweight eliminator for the No. 1 ranking between two undefeated, hard-hitting southpaws AJ ?Bazooka? Banal and Caril Herrera will ?probably be the fight of the night and may end up stealing the show? at the exciting ?Invasion ? Philippines vs The World? fight card Sunday morning at the famous Araneta Coliseum, the ?Mecca? of Philippine sports and entertainment.

Gomez said Herrera is tough and strong and very aggressive but that Banal ?is the same way. He is getting better every time out and I have always felt that among all the young fighters and all the young prospects in the Philippines he reminds me the most of Manny Pacquiao.?

He said Banal has that ?same explosive style, fast hands, great power and this may be the best real test of his career.

The Golden Boy executive conceded that they were working on getting ?Boom Boom? Bautista?s confidence back? after his knockout loss to WBO champion Daniel Ponce De Leon last August 11. Gomez emphasized that ?physically he has always been a very good fighter but mentally that?s what we are working on right now. Trying to get him that confidence back.?

Gomez said Bautista?s WBO Intercontinental title fight against Genaro Camargo of Mexico ?is not going to be an easy fight because Mexicans always give a good fight no matter what their record is and they have ?so much pride, just like the Filipino fighters.? Camargo said he is ?here to win. I?m gonna win. So Bautista is going to have to bring his ?A? game but I think its very important in his development. A year from now we are hoping he will fight for the title once again.?

Gomez said the Philippines is probably the epicenter of boxing ?in all the world. There?s so much excitement about boxing here it really is a hotspot. Filipinos are some of the best fans I ever had the privilege of witnessing myself when I come out here. They show so much support, it doesn?t matter whether you are Filipino or Mexican or any other country. They love boxing and they support good fighters.?

Top photo: AJ Banal of the Philippines (L) and Caril Herrera of Uruguay face off during today's weighin at the Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City. Photo by Dr. Ed de la Vega.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Santiago-Taniguchi Final Presser
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Jimuel in Action on Friday!
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • “Rumble in the Une” Makes History in Union City with Star-Studded Fight Card Headlined by Jacob Macalolooy
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Is Floyd chickening out?
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Bacaro to challenge Toyoshima on April 4
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • IBA steps forward as potential organiser for Bivol vs Beterbiev trilogy bout
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • PBF president Almario dies
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • Portland Trail Blazers have new owner after $4.25 billion sale
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • PH chess wizard seven-year old Noah Lucas Palcis finishes second in Bangkok chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • 2 Time World Champion Marcos Maidana Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Wed, 01 Apr 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 30 MARCH 2026: Itauma Destroys Franklin in 5; Fundora Dismantles Thurman in 6
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Panamanian WBC Judge Jesus Aleman murdered in Panama
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • ‘I won’t be holding anything back! – Big Bad Bazley challenges The Pilgrim Ryan Williams for Heavyweight title May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • ZAYAS AND BOOTS CLASH IN UNIFIED BLOCKBUSTER AT BARCLAYS CENTER, BROOKLYN ON JUNE 27 – LIVE AND EXCLUSIVE ON DAZN PPV
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Full Card to Join Taduran Vs. Perez on Friday, April 3, at Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. Live on ESPN Knockout
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • 13-0 prospect Marco Romero hasn’t lost a Fight in nearly 7 years and he’s only 20
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • WORLD ELITE SUMO ANNOUNCES NEW DATE – SATURDAY, MAY 16 – FOR LIVE PROFESSIONAL SUMO EVENT AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER
    , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • Filipino boy, 15, wins US chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 31 Mar 2026
  • 60 Years of Top Rank: Bob Arum’s First Fight Launched a Boxing Empire
    , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Lebron James and son Bronny make NBA History
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 30 Mar 2026
  • Bryan Acosta Wins WBA Continental Americas Featherweight Championship with Unanimous Decision over Ronny Rios in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Thunder Studios in Long Beach
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Filipino boy, 9, wins in Canada chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Vagabov and Ziyaev crowned champions at IBA Bare Knuckle 4 in Saint Petersburg
    , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Sherwin Tiu captures Kamatyas Open Chess crown
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Mar 2026
  • Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.