| |
|
BANAL FACES 'MANNY PACQUIAO OF URUGUAY'
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 07 Mar 2008
He may have battled more hardened veterans in the past, but for the first time in his career, ALA Boy AJ 'Bazooka' Banal will be facing an opponent with a better record than his, and is touted as the "Manny Pacquiao of Uruguay."
The 19-year-old Banal, who is unbeaten in 16 fights with 13 KO's, is set to tangle with the undefeated Caril Herrera in a 12-round IBF superflyweight eliminator on April 6 at the Araneta Coliseum. The bout is in the undercard of the Gerry Penalosa-Ratanachai Vorapin WBO title bout.
The 27-year-old Herrera, nicknamed "El Raton" in his country, boasts of 21 wins, no loss with 13 KO's, one no-contest, and goes into the fight as the WBC Latino superflyweight champ.
"We have watched a video of his fight, and he fights like Pacquiao with his swarming, crowding style. And people in his country are crazy over him," said Banal's manager Michael Aldeguer in an interview the other day.
The winner of the Banal-Herrera fight has been assured to get the no. 1 spot in the IBF's superflyweight division, although hardly the mandatory position. Vic Darchinyan is now the mandatory challenger to champion Dmitri Kirilov, and the Aussie fighter is under contract to face Z Gorres next should he wrest the title from Kirilov.
"We just want to make sure Banal gets the no. 1 spot, although not really a mandatory position. But our aim is to position him at the top," said Aldeguer, who credits international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz for making the match-up with Herrera as well as Golden Boy vice-president Eric Gomez for approving the match.
"We have plans for Banal, but as long as the fight with Herrera is not over yet, we really can't look beyond that. We are very, very seriously taking Herrera as a credible opponent," said sportsman Antonio Aldeguer.
Meanwhile, Banal continues to train at Aldeguer's ALA Gym, along with Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista, who is set to cross paths with Mexican Genaro "Duro" Camargo on the same April 6 card at the Big Dome.
If victorious, Bautista is set to headline a huge Bohol Day card on July 22 in Tagbilaran City.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Press Conference Notes: San Diego Favorite Emanuel Navarrete Set to Reignite Mexico-Philippines Rivalry against Charly Suarez
, Fri, 09 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS PRESENTS: UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLARESSA SHIELDS vs. LANI DANIELS SATURDAY, JULY 26 * LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
, Fri, 09 May 2025Unbeaten Anthony Velazquez pitched shutout at home in Springfield
, Fri, 09 May 2025TYSON FURY VOTED THE MOST ENTERTAINING BOXER IN THE WORLD, ACCORDING TO BRITISH FANS
, Fri, 09 May 2025Undefeated super middleweight contender Darius Fulghum preparing to ‘Make a big splash’ vs. Bek Melikuziev
, Fri, 09 May 2025OKC Routs Denver; 149-106, Ties Series; Semis Series in East Remain Topsy-turvy as Boston Goes Down 0-2 With 91-90 Loss to NY
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 08 May 2025SHAW SENDS A MESSAGE IN HUNT FOR UK OPEN GLORY | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
, Thu, 08 May 2025WBO presents the Amanda Serrano Championships
, Thu, 08 May 2025GM Antonio faces tough competition in ASEAN Seniors Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 May 2025Boxing: Entertainment Sport or Sport Entertainment?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 07 May 2025JIM LAMPLEY'S BOOK TOUR IS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK!
, Wed, 07 May 2025CAPITO IGNITES TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
, Wed, 07 May 2025Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 06 May 2025Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
, Tue, 06 May 2025The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
By Eric Armit, , Tue, 06 May 2025Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Cardenas, Romero and Espinoza and Vows to Make Next Year's Cinco de Mayo Unforgettable, Highlighted by David Benavidez Facing the Winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev
, Tue, 06 May 2025Saving the Best for Last: GSW Upstages Raw Rockets
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 06 May 2025Antonio, Bagamasbad face tough competition in Woman FIDE Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament on May 18
By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 06 May 2025Andres “Savage” Cortes Finishes Strong Training Camp Ahead of Crucial May 10 Clash Against Salvador Jimenez at Pechanga Arena San Diego
, Tue, 06 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS and ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT PRESENT HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT
, Tue, 06 May 2025IBA embraces Bare Knuckle Boxing
, Tue, 06 May 2025Monster Dynamite: Inoue Crushes Cardenas in Eight
, Mon, 05 May 2025"THE MONSTER" SURVIVES EARLY SCARE, DESTROYS CARDENAS IN THRILLING WAR TO RETAIN UNDISPUTED CROWN
By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 05 May 2025Dana White to Promote Canelo vs. Crawford: UFC Boss Set to Elevate Superfight to Historic Levels
By T. Chin-Te, , Mon, 05 May 2025Bata Reyes impressed with upcoming young players during exhibition in Libis
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 05 May 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
