Philippines, 30 Jan 2026
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BANAL READY TO FACE HISTORY

PhilBoxing.com




Exactly one week towards the biggest fight of his career, World Boxing Association (WBA) No. 3 super flyweight contender AJ ?Bazooka? Banal looks forward to be worthy of the fateful chance to claim ascendancy to a world championship crown that he had been dreaming for since he was a child fighting in the depressed grounds of Ermita and the busy byways of the city?s main wet market earning his daily keep for his family.

His immaculate record of 17 wins and 14 KOs describes a warrior who is committed to the discipline of his craft, a habit that he grew with and honed through the wise hands of ALA Gym manager and trainers.

?Our goal for AJ is to develop him into a complete fighter who is ready to face anyone, anytime,? says Banal manager Michael Aldeguer. ?And I could see that he has developed into one. He has an enviable combination of talents. He boxes hard, and he moves fast and nimble. He got the power and the skills that could take on any fighters of championship caliber. I have no doubt in my mind that he has a very bright future ahead of him. The WBA super flyweight crown would just be one of them.?

?I have watched AJ grew from a vibrant kid who had so much dreams in his eyes into a more complete warrior with impressive fight record,? chief ALA Gym trainer Edito ?Ala? Villamor recalled. ?His discipline, focus, and commitment to hone his skill are terrific. And unlike many boxers whose gifts are either towards skills only or power only, AJ Banal are gifted in both.?

?I have supervised AJ?s training since he turned professional,? said trainer Edmundo Villamor, ?and I have full confidence that he is a fighter who can be relied upon to demolish bigger ones. He has grown into a more complete fighter at this young age. Our program has been to bring him to that level. Every time he faces a different opponent, we simply guide him to make a few adjustments based on that opponent?s fighting style. Because in the end, what a fighter can bring into the ring is what he has become at that point in time. What will Bazooka bring to the ring was what he has learned and has become in his three years in professional boxing, nothing more, nothing less.?

His professional accomplishments speak of a warrior who is smart and careful in facing opponents and prefers to finish the game early in the run if he can. Six of his KO record happened within the third round of skirmish. His upcoming encounter with WBA No. 6 super flyweight pugilist Rafael ?Little Bull? Concepcion will be one of those battles he would be facing with grounded confidence.

Asked about Concepcion?s knocking him out of the contest, Bazooka Banal replied: ?I don?t care so much of what he says. I know very well what I can do and where I need to work on. I know what I will bring into the fight. And with that I will see to it that by the closing hours of July 26, our country will have a new world champion.?

The explosive promotion dubbed ?Laban Na Banal: Panahon Na? will rock the New Cebu Coliseum before a mass audience, for whom the location has been primarily selected for. It is again a walk towards history for AJ ?Bazooka? Banal and for Filipinos and Cebuanos in particular. And it is a walk that is worth waiting for.




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