Philippines, 26 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


BAZOOKA EXPLODES LOUDER THAN BOOM BOOM (WITH PHOTOS)


PhilBoxing.com




Now enter Alex John ?AJ? Banal who is nicknamed ?Bazooka? from the legendary Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez due to the explosive guns in his fists. He is being eyed by the Golden Boy Promotions as a great potential. His star shone brighter and his artillery exploded louder than that of main eventer Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista during the ?Payback? at the Araneta Coliseum last Sunday.

Boxing fans were dismayed by Bautista?s failure to KO Antonio ?Barrio? Meza. While the crowd roared in approval on Banal as his challenger was floored by his blazing guns. It was one great moment when a Filipino displayed superior strength against a visiting fighter from Mexico, the country we consider now as our arch-rival in boxing supremacy.

Banal unwearyingly waited for the right time to connect and saw the opportunity by sending Jovanny Soto to the canvas by a counter right hook in round 9. Soto was up before the count of 10. Banal then unleashed his frenzied battering fists on the helpless Mexican that prompted the referee to stop the fight.

Banal was in total control of the battle using his excellent swiftness and footwork. In the early rounds Banal castigated Soto with straight lefts before ramming his foe with bodyshots and crunching hooks. Banal is undefeated, improved his record to 16-0-1 with 13 KOs, while Soto dropped to 25-8-2 with 20 KOs.

Banal was born December 28, 1988, and is a southpaw boxer from Ermita, Cebu City. His uncle Roselito Campa?a, an ex-boxer, aroused his interest in boxing. He turned professional and during his pro debut on June 11, 2005 he ended up with a draw against Sonny Saguing. Since then, it was 16 straight wins for the fighter from ALA Gym.

PHOTOS:















His first US exposure was last May 5, 2007 when he won against Juan Alberto Rosas by unanimous decision in eight rounds at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada. During the bout, he was deducted one point for a low blow, but it did not affect his lead over his Mexican foe.

Another Mexican who suffered defeat from the raging hands of the ?Bazooka? was Jorge Cardenas, whom he disposed of in three rounds. The referee called off the fight when Cardenas twisted his ankle, as he was knocked down, and was unable to continue last August 11, 2007 in Sacramento, California.

Banal made a swift breathtaking dumping of Essau Gaona of Mexico to win the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Youth super flyweight title. Banal sent Gaona 3 times to the canvas with powerful left straight to the jaw, before the referee have seen enough and stopped the fight just in the first round. The bout was held in his hometown at Waterfront Hotel, Cebu City.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering team to the championship of the Oliver Laroya 3x3 (Tatluhan) Rapid Chess Team Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 26 Apr 2026
  • Simona Winkler, Salim Ellis-Bey and Noelle Haro Advance to Medal Rounds At 2026 World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
    , Sun, 26 Apr 2026
  • Sanman 100 Official Weigh-In Results from General Santos
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Subkhankulov stops Usmonov, Agrba wins hard test, and Aminova claims WBA Asia title at IBA.PRO 17 in Ufa
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Pero vs Miller: Heavies Collide in Prove it fight on DAZN
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Subkhankulov Stops Usmonov in Russia, Claims IBF No. 2 Spot at Lightweight
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Yeow Ming to fight in Bangkok for ABF title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • MILLER VS. PERO - WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER AHEAD OF TOMORROW NIGHT’S ACTION
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • IBA Pro Champions Night to feature world champions in Saint Petersburg
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Noelle Haro and Marie Rosendo Advance to Quarterfinals with Wins on Day Four of 2026 World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
    , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • Bautista to face Dulayba at Okada on April 30
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 25 Apr 2026
  • LAS VEGAS FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES AS MILLER AND PERO COLLIDE IN WBA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE ELIMINATOR – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Undefeated Knockout Artist Amari “The Reaper” Jones Headlines First-Ever DAZN Card Against Former World Champion Vincenzo “Il Capo” Gualtieri
    , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Mexican female stars Mayelli Flores and Irma ¨Torbellino¨ Garcia sign with MVP
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Basil to fight Britanico on April 26 in Delpan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Race briefing of Mt. Apo Boulder Face on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Into fights for IBA championship on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Camigue fights in Tanzania on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Team USA Captures Three More Wins on Day Three at World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
    , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • 1,400 runners in Sagisag Davao Leg
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • The Marvelous Cup Invitational tourney set
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Junior Middleweights Currently The Hottest Division In Boxing!
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • All Star Boxing Announces 'Clash of the Unbeaten' on May 22nd In Panama
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • Oliver Laroya Chess Tournament on April 25
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and Undefeated Rising Prospect Robert Guerrero Jr. to Appear at 3rd Annual Battle of the Trades on April 25
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.