WBO EXEC SAYS BANAL-YOO WAS "FIGHT OF THE YEAR" CANDIDATE

Hard-working WBO Asia Pacific chief Leon Panoncillo, in an interview with Philboxing.com a day after the AJ Banal-Big Yoo tiff in Tagbilaran City which drew a record 30,000 spectators led by Mayor Dan Neri Lim, has indicated that the Banal-Yoo slugout had the makings of a "Fight of the Year" candidate.

"It was truly a fight. Im proud to be part of that," said Panoncillo, who had to fly back to Manila the day after to attend to yet another WBO event.

The bout saw Banal scoring a fifth-round knockout following a trip to dire straits as Yoo, living up to his name, unleashed his big fight and gave it to Banal that had the Filipino wobbly in at least two occasions.

"We at the WBO is on an unending search for the best talents out there to fight for our organization. Searching for the best talents will produce only the best fights, as what we have experienced on superstar Manny Pacquiao holding our WBO belt," the boxing exec stated.

With the victory, Banal is now slated to see action in Dubai on October 29 possibly against ex-world champ Luis Perez in an event to be presented by ALA Promotions, ABS-CBN Sports and KO Promotions of Zac Taumafai.

Meanwhile, Banal is set to face the Cebu media tonight along with WBO minimumweight kingpin Donnie Nietes. The press gathering will also serve as a send-off for Nietes, who is set to leave for his title defense on Aug. 14 in Mexico against Mario Rodriguez.