CEBU CITY -- AJ 'Bazooka' Banal appearead sharp and ready during yesterday's public sparring at the ALA Gym in Banilad here. Banal, who will be fighting for the vacant WBA supefly (115 lbs) title against Rafael Concepcion of Panama on July 26 at the Cebu Coliseum, went for three rounds against the bigger and heavier super bantam Hilario Canillas in a spirited no holds barred sparring where Canillas gave his all throwing looping rights and lefts that Banal agilely sidestepped or blocked before throwing his well-timed counters.
At one point Canillas was pushed to the ropes after a sustained attack with pinpoint combinations by Banal that had the jampacked crowd at the ALA Gym burst in applause.
"He's ready," ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor quipped. With the quickness of his his movements and sharpness of his punches that he had shown yesterday, Banal indeed appeared ready to take on, not only Concepcion, but the whole world as well.
Main supporting boxers for the 'PANAHON NA BANAL' card Milan Melindo, who will take on carlos Melo of Panama for the WBA Intercontinental lightfly championship, and Michael Domingo who will take on Chaiyong Sakkreerin of Thailand, also sparred for three rounds each. Melindo sparred with another ALA rising boxer Jerson Mancio while Domingo took on Joseph Omanz. Banal, Melindo and Domingo had already logged more than 100 rounds of sparring each and are on the tailend of their preparation for the highly anticipated July 26 showdown.
Top photo: Banal looks for an opening on Canillas' during their sparring at the ALA Gym in Banilad yesterday.
Banal (L) sidesteps from a Canillas left cross.
Banal (L) parries a Canillas left to the stomach.
Banal (R) tags Canillas with a short right.
Melindo (L) and Mancio during yesterday's sparring.
Domingo (L) and Omanz during yesterday's sparring.
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