ANOTHER window of opportunity has opened up for bantamweight AJ ?Bazooka? Banal as the International Boxing Federation (IBF) has offered him a shot at the organization?s 118-pound crown.
The IBF has given Banal, 26-1-1 with 19 knockouts, a chance for a crack at the bantamweight crown against Vusi Malinga after Abner Mares vacated the title this week.
The 32-year-old South African Malinga, 20-3-1 with 12 knockouts, is rated No.1, while Banal is rated No.3, with the No.2 spot vacant.
Despite the offer by IBF, ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer is still keen on Banal challenging for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight crown currently held by veteran Mexican star Jorge Arce.
?We were informed by the IBF but have not made any decision. Banal right now is the WBO Asia-Pacific champion and the No.1 ranked fighter in the WBO so we are looking at fighting Arce but if he vacates the title to fight Nonito (Donaire Jr.) then the title should be vacant so that is another option we are looking at but we still have to wait for the WBO to make a formal announcement,? Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.
If Arce chooses to vacate the WBO bantamweight title and challenge bantamweight champion Donaire Jr., then there would be a possibility that the 23-year-old Cebuano, rated No.1, will be fighting for the vacant crown against No.2 rated Pungluang Sor Singyu, 39-1 with 26 knockouts.
?For now the WBO is our target but we are open for the best option and we still have to study and go over it,? said Aldeguer. ?Definitely it (world title fight) will happen this year but we still have to study the best option and wait for the formal announcement from the WBO. What is important is for AJ to be prepared. We plan to send him to the US to train maybe in April or May. I?ve talked to Robert Garcia about AJ training under him but have not talked to Robert again.?
Whether it be the WBO or the IBF, Banal?s dream for another crack at a world title is inevitable.
