Saturday, 01 August 2026 · Philippines
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MEXICAN SOTO WANTS BANAL FIGHT FOR DEC. 8

Dangerous Mexican veteran Jovanny "Bambino" Soto is aching for a fight against undefeated AJ 'Bazooka' Banal on December 8 in Manila to determine the next challenger for WBO superfly champion Fernando Montiel.

The WBC Fecombox and Mexican national superfly champion Soto has told Mexican media that he was already informed of the fight which will serve as an eliminator with the winner getting a crack at Montiel next year.

Soto said he had already signed the contract for the fight, and is ready to fly to the Philippines to fight Banal.

If the fight indeed materializes, it should be held as an undercard to the comeback fight on December 8 of Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista, tentatively scheduled at the Araneta Coliseum.

Banal is coming off a powerful performance at the August 11 World Cup where he broke Jorge Cardenas' resolve and leg in a third-round TKO victory at the Arco Arena in Sacramento.

Banal, however, has yet to hurdle a September 30 assignment where he goes up against another Mexican Esau Gaona for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Youth superflyweight title underneath the Donnie Nietes-Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym WBO world title bout.

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