In the 122-year history of the bantamweight division in professional boxing, only three Filipino boxers have ascended to the 118-pound throne. Considering, however, that the coronation of all three boxers came in electrifying fashion, not a few are counting on Alex John (AJ) ?Bazooka? Banal to produce a similar performance when he goes up against Thai Pungluang Sor Singyu on October 20 for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight diadem.
On October 18, 1989, Luisito Espinosa decimated Thai Khaokor Galaxy in one round to win the World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight crown and become the first Filipino titleholder in the 118-pound class. Espinosa made two successful defenses before getting ambushed in five rounds by Venezuelan Israel Contreras at the Araneta Coliseum in October 1991.
It took eighteen years before another Filipino pugilist collared the bantamweight title. On August 11, 2007, Gerry Pe?alosa, a former World Boxing Council (WBC) super flyweight (115 pounds) champion, challenged Mexican Jhonny Gonzalez for the WBO bantamweight plum. Trailing in two of the three scorecards, Pe?alosa nailed Gonzalez with a debilitating body shot to win by a dramatic stoppage in the seventh round. Pe?alosa made only one successful defense before vacating the belt in April 2009.
Nonito Donaire, Jr., the reigning WBO super bantamweight champion, was the last Filipino to be recognized as bantamweight king. In February 2011, Donaire butchered Mexican Fernando Montiel in two rounds to collect the WBO and WBC bantamweight crowns. Donaire made only one title defense of the unified crown, a 12-round decision win over Argentina?s Omar Narvaez in October 2011, before moving up to the super bantamweight (122 pounds) division.
In November 2011, Mexican Jorge Arce decisioned Indonesian Angky Angkota to claim the WBO bantamweight title vacated by Donaire. Arce?s stay in the weight class also turned out to be brief as he relinquished the title early this month to campaign in the super bantamweight division.
No.1 contender Banal and No.2 contender Pungluang are now set to dispute the WBO throne vacated by Arce. Banal, 28-1 with 20 knockouts, has emerged as the early betting favorite, but there is no disregarding the ring accomplishments of Pungluang. The 24-year-old Thai totes a record of 42-1 with 27 knockouts and has won 19 straight fights since suffering a close 10-round split decision loss to Stephane Jamoye in Belgium in May 2009.
Pungluang has made a living feasting on Filipino fighters. He has posted 16 victories, 11 by knockout, against our local fighters. The fighters who succumbed to Pungluang?s fists are Bryan Vicera, Monico Laurente, Javier Malulan, Jayson Layson, Eden Sonsona, Jilo Merlin, Elmar Francisco (twice), Joel Rafols, Freddie Martinez, Paul Apolinario, Marvin Tampus, Nathan Bolcio, Danilo Pena, Rey Migreno, and Ricardo Roa.
Banal, who has won his last 11 fights, is also undefeated against Thais, having knocked out Detchapol Kokietgym, Bangsaen Sithprapom, Tabthong Tor Buamas, Terdkiat Jandaeng and Komrit Lukkongmuekol.
Somebody?s winning streak will definitely come to an end on October 20, although Banal and Pungluang are both oozing with confidence. During the taping of the special preview of the fight at ABS-CBN, Pungluang vowed to notch his 17th career victory against Filipino boxers by knocking out Banal in four rounds. Not to be outdone, Banal countered that he will put Pungluang to sleep in three rounds.
Banal-Pungluang has all the trimmings of a holy war.
