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Philippines, 26 Feb 2026 |
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BANAL OPTIMISTIC TO WIN TITLE PhilBoxing.com Wed, 25 Jun 2008  RISING Filipino prospect AJ (Alex John) Banal is optimistic he?ll already be a world champion one month from now. The unbeaten teenage bet vies for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) super-flyweight title against dangerous Rafael Concepcion of Panama on July 26 in what could be the biggest fight of his young career. Nicknamed `Bazooka?, Banal vowed before yesterday?s PSA Forum at the Shakey?s U.N. Avenue branch not to let the golden opportunity slip away. ?Ito na po ang pinakahi-hintay ko. Isang napakalaking oportunidad ito na hindi dapat masayang,? the 19-year-old Cebuano fighting out of the famed ALA stable gum said before mediamen who attended the weekly session sponsored by Shakey?s, the Philippine Amusements and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), Accel, Brickroad gym and Aspen spa and MedCentral Medical Clinic and Diagnostic Center. Venue of the fight is the New Cebu Coliseum, the playing arena that sits adjacent to the barangay where Banal grew up. ?This is the dream of AJ, to fight and win a world title in Cebu,? bared Dennis Canete, vice-president of ALA Promotions. ?So I guess the venue, which sits around 12,000, would be a nice venue for a world championship bout.? Owner of a ring record of 17 wins, including 14 knockouts, Banal is currently rated no. 3 by the WBA. He is coming off a fourth round technical knockout of previously undefeated Caril Hererra of Uruguay last April. Banal said he already sparred a total of 136 rounds and doesn?t see any problem meeting the super-flyweight limit of 115 pounds. ?Handang-handa na po talaga tayo,? he confidently said. But the 25-year-old Concepcion is not patsy. In 13 fights, the Panamanian has won 10 of them, six by way of knockout, while losing the two others. ?Mahirap na kalaban din si Concepcion, hindi rin naman tayo pakakasiguro,? said Banal trainer, Raymund Villamor, brother of former world title contender ALA. ?Pero napag-aralan na rin naman namin siya. Sa nakita namin, medyo mahina siya sa bodega (stomach) kaya concentrated more on body punches,? he added. Banal is also aware Concepcion can both be a fighter and a slugger, but said he?s ready whatever his opponent will bring on the table. ?Fighter siya at talagang may lakas,? admitted the young Filipino. ?Pero marami akong plano sa kanya at sa ring ko na lang ito ilalabas.? Top photo: (L-R) ALA Promotions Vice-President Dennis Ca?ete, AJ 'Bazooka' Banal and trainer Edmund Villamor at yesterday's PSA Forum at the Shakey's UN Ave. in Manila.  |
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