TAGBILARAN CITY ? AJ ?Bazooka? Banal wrested the World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight crown after a tough and bloody battle against Big Yoo in the main event of ?Sandugo?Labanan ng mga Kampeon? last Saturday night at the crowded Carlos P. Garcia Sports Center in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
Banal immediately took the fight to the South Korea-based Japanese, landing a couple of two-punch combos. However, the highly-rated Cebuano fighter was in for a surprise as Yoo gave him a run for his money, trading punches with Banal nearing the end of the first round.
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Blood trickled down the right side of Banal?s head after an accidental clash in the second round. However, this didn?t slow down Banal. He punished the 21-year-old Yoo with punches to the head and body. But Yoo just absorbed Banal?s heavy hits, and countered with a barrage of his own.
In the fifth, Yoo got aggressive as ever, hurting Banal with a couple of shots to the head and body. But as Yoo was coming in, Banal landed a right, then followed it with a devastating left uppercut that sent the tough Japanese warrior to the canvas.
Banal handed Yoo his first career knockout loss, in front of an estimated crowd of 25,000, after he failed to beat referee Bruce McTavish?s count, 1:59 in round five.
Despite the loss, the crowd also applauded Yoo for his brave showing.
Next fight
?I knew he would soften up. He was being punished,? ALA Gym founder Antonio L. Aldeguer said after the fight. ?They really studied the fight of Banal with (Rafael) Concepcion.?
Banal improved to 22-1-1 with 18 knockouts while Yoo fell to 16-3 with 11 knockouts.
Despite the knockout win, ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer feels Banal still needs to learn and improve before fighting for a world title.
?AJ will be fighting in Dubai on Oct. 29, possibly against Luis Perez. But he (Perez) hasn?t signed the contract. We want to try and get him a former world champion or a ranked opponent but not yet for a world title,? he said.
