| |
|
BANAL?S OPPONENT TO TRAIN IN U.S.
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 18 Jun 2008
Rafael Concepcion.
The Panamanian opponent of AJ ?Bazooka? Banal for the World Boxing Association super flyweight title, Rafael ?El Torito? Concepcion, will leave his hometown of Panama City to head to New York this weekend.
Fight Beat reported that Concepcion will join renowned trainers Hector Roca and Pedro Romero to resume training at the world famous boxing institution , Gleason?s gym in Brooklyn.
Concepcion is managed by Optimum Sports Agency whose Damon de Berry said ?Rafael will surprise a lot of people on July 26. We are going into their country and fighting their champion, but we are also going to come away with the win.?
Concepcion has dreamt of becoming a world champion since he was a child but his dream may well be turned into a nightmare against the hard-hitting southpaw AJ ?Bazooka? Banal who continues to train diligently at the famed ALA Gym in Cebu owned by respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer.
Youthful Michael Aldeguer who has quietly assumed the mantle of his father Tony told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that Banal was doing ?very, very well? and was sparring eight rounds with peomising Weng Haya and Bon Jovi ?who comes right at you.?
Aldeguer said Banal?s weight was ?very controlled? and was not at 122 pounds. He said Banal will step up sparring next week and will go ten rounds and later possibly twelve for the next two weeks.
The Banal-Concepcion world title fight will be telecast by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN ?live? from the Cebu City Coliseum.
Panama has two world champions at present, Anselmo Moreno and Celestino Caballero while the Philippines has four world titles held by ring idol Manny Pacquiao, Gerry Penalosa, Nonito Donaire and Donnie Nietes.
Panama is best remembered for its Hall-of-Famer, Roberto ?Hands of Stone? Duran.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Late Replacement Tellez Ready to Shock the World Against Amanda Serrano for WBA & WBO Featherweight Titles on January 3 in Puerto Rico
, Wed, 24 Dec 2025The Pryce is right again!
, Wed, 24 Dec 2025Postal Stamp Honoring Muhammad Ali will be present in January 15
By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 24 Dec 2025O’REILLY AUTO PARTS SIGNS LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
, Wed, 24 Dec 2025Isabela Chess University Wins Region 2 Chess League Title
By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 24 Dec 2025Cristobal stops Beltran in the 6th round
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 23 Dec 2025VENUE/DATE CHANGE: Shinard Bunch Takes on John Paul Magalong on THURSDAY, JANUARY 15TH AT THE WAR MEMORIAL IN TRENTON
, Tue, 23 Dec 2025Raquinel suffers 2nd setback in SA
By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 23 Dec 2025Oakland Municipal Auditorium: Sacred Hall Where Filipino Boxing World Champions Were Crowned
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 23 Dec 2025IBA confirms Men’s World Boxing Championships results
, Tue, 23 Dec 2025Jordan Launches Pro Boxing Scene Appointing Amer Abdallah as Advisor
, Tue, 23 Dec 2025Fisher and Atencio Crowned Jax Mixed Doubles Open Champions
, Sun, 21 Dec 2025Jake Paul Undergoes Surgery for Broken Jaw Following Knockout Loss to Anthony Joshua
By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 21 Dec 2025Anthony Joshua Drops Jake Paul 4 Times En Route to a 6th Round Stoppage
By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 20 Dec 2025Jean Henri Lhuillier Hails RP Blu Boys’ Golden Triumph at the SEA Games
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 20 Dec 2025ACCRA WEIGH-IN RESULTS: RICHARDS AND AZEEZ PREPARE FOR HISTORIC CLASH
, Sat, 20 Dec 2025Two USA Boxing Junior National Champions Invited to Attend Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Bout Friday in Miami
, Sat, 20 Dec 2025Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025January 31: Rohan Polanco-Christian Gomez Confirmed as Co-Feature to Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025Suelo rules Thailand chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025RICHARDS AND AZEEZ SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AS SOUTH LONDON LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS FACE-OFF AT PRESS CONFERENCE IN GHANA
, Fri, 19 Dec 2025Brooklyn’s undefeated Pryce Taylor Called one of top heavyweight prospects in U.S.
, Fri, 19 Dec 2025INDIGO FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS AS GIORGIO VISOLI OVERCOMES TOUGH JOE HOWARTH – AND TIAH-MAI AYTON WINS AGAIN
, Thu, 18 Dec 2025 |
|
|
|
|
|
