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BANAL VIES FOR THE WBA CROWN JUNE 21 IN CEBU! By Salven L. Lagumbay PhilBoxing.com Mon, 19 May 2008  CEBU CITY--Undefeated ALA Boy AJ 'Bazooka' Banal gets his much-cherished dream of bagging a world title when he faces Panamanian Rafael Concepcion on June 21 in Cebu City for the vacant WBA 115-lb throne. The formal announcement was made today by Michael Aldeguer, Banal's manager, during a lunch press conference with the Cebu media. Also in attendance were Banal, ALA Promotions officers Dennis Canete and Chad Canares, ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor, and Ms Christine Inocencio-Aldeguer. "We just got a call this morning from international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz. He was in a meeting with WBA executive president Gilberto Mendoza Jr and Oliver Gomez, president of the WBA championship committee and they decided to have AJ Banal fight for the vacant title with Rafael Concepcion," announced Aldeguer. The youthful Aldeguer, however, also indicated that they are also studying the possibility of holding the fight on July 12 or 19. ALA Promotions will negotiate with a leading television outfit to cover the fight, and a final date will be announced in a week's time. "We would like to especially thank international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz for making this happen, and for believing in AJ Banal. WBA's Mendoza saw Banal in Sacramento during the World Cup, and he believed the future is with this kid," said Aldeguer. The two leading venues that will most likely land the bout are the New Cebu Coliseum and the Cebu City Sports Complex, venue of the Fernando Montiel-Z Gorres WBO superfly duel. Banal (17-0-1, 14 KO's) had earlier asked his handlers to put his fight in a venue that would be accessible to the masses where his relatives, friends and fans can see him fight, instead of an upscale venue like the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. The WBA superfly title became vacant after champion Alexander Munoz was deposed yesterday by WBC champ Cristian Mijares. The WBA has installed Mijares as its super champion, thus allowing the 19-year-old Banal to vie for the regular crown. The 25-year-old Concepcion, a southpaw nicknamed "El Torito", holds the WBA Fedelatin flyweight as well as the WBC FECARBOX superflyweight crowns. Concepcion is coming off a third-round TKO over Jean Piero Perez last March 27 in a fight that saw him kiss the canvas twice in the second round before stopping Perez. Banal, who is described by international matchmaker Sampson "Picasso" Lewkowicz as the brightest prospect from the Philippines, is fresh off a fourth-round TKO over the previously unbeaten Caril Herrera of Uruguay in their IBF eliminator fight last month at the famed Araneta Coliseum. "I am pretty sure that on June 21st I paint a picture very close to the Mona Lisa by AKA Picasso," stated Lewkowicz in his letter to the young Aldeguer. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank your respectable father, you and the entire ALA Boxing family for allowing me to guide AJ Banal and bring great pride to the people of the Philippine Islands," added Lewkowicz, who is credited for bringing Manny Pacquiao to the US when the boxing icon was still an unknown entity. When asked if he will be ready to fight for the world crown, Banal stated that this is the break he has been waiting for, and he is very confident that his training would take care of everything. "Sir ALA (Antonio L. Aldeguer) called me to his office this morning and told me that I would be fighting for the world crown. I feel very happy. I'm in condition and I'm happy too," stressed Banal. The young fighter, however, said he has yet to see a tape of Concepcion's fight. Edito Villamor, who trains Banal, stated that his ward will be ready for the fight as he has been constantly in the gym. Those lined up to spar with Banal in preparation for the fight are Z "The Dream" Gorres, Malcolm Tunacao, Gil Melligen and Glenn Masicampo. Top photo: AJ 'Bazooka' Banal talks to the media this afternoon about his chances against Concepcion on their upcoming title fight next month. 
From left, ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor, AJ Banal, ALA President Michael Aldeguer and ALA Vice-President Dennis Canete during this afternoon's presscon at the Patio Isabel in Cebu as they announced Banal's upcoming title fight against Rafael Concepcion of Panama. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.  |
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