Philippines, 05 Nov 2024
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


AJ BANAL: FASTRACK TO CENTER STAGE


PhilBoxing.com




William Shakespeare wrote: ?It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.?

Boxers know that their destiny is not in the stars but in their fists. AJ Banal, (W0-17 (KO 14) L?O D?1) a southpaw from the tough streets of Ermita, Cebu has a date with destiny.

His career didn't exactly start on a high note, a 2 round round technical draw over Sonny Saguing last June 2005 in Mandaue City in the undercard of the Rey Bautista vs. Gilberto Bolanos tussle. He beat the same Saguing five months later via six round unanimous decision.

He was the typical curtain raiser, until his victories over erstwhile unbeaten Sing Carryboy of Thailand and Ali Rochmad of Indonesia in Tagbilaran City made the very choosy Filipino boxing fans take notice. Golden Boy promotions took notice and he landed fights in the U.S. against Juan Alberto Rosas and Juan Cardenas. In his last fight, he knocked out another previously undefeated boxer, Caril Herrera of Uruguay in four rounds.

More fans took notice and Banal?s fights became a favorite youtube staple. But is it too soon for a title shot? Banal is only nineteen years old and is a three year pro. He will be facing Panama's Rafael Concepcion (10W - 2L - 1D 6 KO) for the vacant WBA superflyweight title.

Concepcion's record on boxrec shows the usual no name suspects with a combined record of 62 W - 31 L - 3 D. He has never fought outside Panama. Banal will have the homecourt advantage in Cebu City on July 26.

On paper, it looks like the ALA gym will once again present the Philippines with another world title belt.

Comparing Banal to another Cebu fighter, Malcolm Tunacao, who was only a two year pro and had only had ten pro fights going into his WBC world flyweight title winning performance against Medgoen Singsurat eight years ago. Medgoen will always be remembered for dethroning a dehydrated Manny Pacquiao. Tunacao lost in his second title defence. Pacquiao was a three year pro, less than two weeks shy of his twentieth birthday, when he won his first world title. He didn?t have a long reign either but he has more than made up for it for the past ten years.

Getting there fast is one thing, staying on top for a long time is different story. But as Winston Churchill once said: ?It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.?

The Bazooka will handle his first link in the chain this July.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Keyshawn Davis Kicks Off Norfolk Fight Week with Visit to Local Elementary School
    , Tue, 05 Nov 2024
  • Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Guatemala and Laos join World Boxing as membership grows to 55 countries World Boxing approves applications from four new members at its second annual Congress in Colorado US
    , Tue, 05 Nov 2024
  • LIGHT-HEAVYWEIGHT TALENT CONOR WALLACE SIGNS LONG-TERM PROMOTIONAL PARTNERSHIP WITH MATCHROOM, GOLDSTAR AND TASMAN FIGHTERS
    , Mon, 04 Nov 2024
  • Torre to play simul chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 04 Nov 2024
  • "Worcester Championship Boxing" results: Castro dominates Whitley
    , Mon, 04 Nov 2024
  • Tiu, Siano win in Oroquieta City standard chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 04 Nov 2024
  • Foster The Champion: O’Shaquie Foster Beats Robson Conceição to Reclaim Junior Lightweight Crown
    , Sun, 03 Nov 2024
  • AND STILL UNDEFEATED FLOYD SCHOFIELD DEFEATS RENE TELLEZ GIRÓN IN FIREFIGHT TO MAINTAIN WBA INTERNATIONAL TITLE
    , Sun, 03 Nov 2024
  • Toledo-Xignex Trojans still Southern Division champion
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 03 Nov 2024
  • Fight Day Media Hub Robson Conceição vs. O'Shaquie Foster 2
    , Sun, 03 Nov 2024
  • Team USA Secures Three Gold Medals at the 2024 World Boxing U19 Championships
    , Sun, 03 Nov 2024
  • GM Quizon rules 13th edition of Kamatyas Rapid Open Chess Tournament
    , Sun, 03 Nov 2024
  • Conceicao vs. Foster 2: Second Time A Charm for Foster?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 02 Nov 2024
  • Jamaine Ortiz Captures WBA Continental USA Jr. Welterweight Title with TKO Victory Over Christian Rubio Mino
    , Sat, 02 Nov 2024
  • WELSH AMATEUR STAR TAYLOR BEVAN SIGNS WITH MATCHROOM
    , Sat, 02 Nov 2024
  • FM Arca eyes another title in the 3rd Gov. Oaminal chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 Nov 2024
  • Weigh-In Results: Robson Conceição vs. O'Shaquie Foster 2
    , Sat, 02 Nov 2024
  • SCHOFIELD VS. TELLEZ GIRON OFFICIAL WEIGHTS
    , Sat, 02 Nov 2024
  • Teflon Promotions Card for November 2nd in Collingswood, NJ is Postponed
    , Sat, 02 Nov 2024
  • Stanford University’s Dante Kirkman Set to Return to the Ring at Fox Theater in Redwood City, CA
    , Sat, 02 Nov 2024
  • EDDIE HEARN’S MATCHROOM PROVIDES MAJOR FINANCIAL BOOST TO 100 UK AMATEUR BOXING CLUBS IN NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH EMPIRE FIGHTING CHANCE
    , Sat, 02 Nov 2024
  • The Scariest Division in Boxing
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 01 Nov 2024
  • "Worcester Championship Boxing" Official Weights
    , Fri, 01 Nov 2024
  • SCHOFIELD VS. TELLEZ GIRON FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 01 Nov 2024
  • WEIGHTS FROM ORLANDO FLORIDA
    , Fri, 01 Nov 2024




  •  



     
    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
    © 2024 philboxing.com.