Philippines, 26 Dec 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


BANAL VS PEREZ HAS THE MAKINGS OF A CLASSIC


PhilBoxing.com




No less than a fight for the ages can be had when young warrior AJ "Bazooka" Banal takes on seasoned two-division former world champion Luis Alberto Perez in a ten-round non-title dukeout this Saturday at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

Banal and Perez have both vowed to win at all costs, indicating they have trained properly and hard for this fight, with the winner moving into a possible world title crack, and the loser moving back into a career limbo.

At yesterday's final press conference held at the Caspian Room of Waterfront Hotel, Banal told members of the media that he has moved on from that humiliating loss at the hands of Rafael Concepcion two years ago, and that Perez will face a different fighter than the one he sees on Youtube losing to the Panamanian fighter.

"For this fight, I am not thinking of my loss to Concepcion. I have a different conditioning regimen, and I have put in the work in the gym. We prepared for a style that is similar to Concepcion, or a style that is different," Banal told this writer, noting how his new conditioning coach has done wonders for his physical preparation.

Perez, who admitted to writers that he doesn't watch videos of his opponent, has been promised a world title fight should he beat Banal, so he is not wanting himself for motivation.

"We wish to inform you all that we travelled halfway across the globe not to lose, but to win against Banal. He is not popular in our country in Nicaragua. Only Manny Pacquiao is popular. But after the fight, we will make sure Perez is popular in the Philippines by beating Banal," said trainer/manager Senior Mario Antonio Garcia Fonseca, who claimed he is the one who studies videos for his fighter.

"I have seen some footages of Banal's previous fights, and I have the key to beat him. We know what to do, and we are here to do that," added Fonseca, who will be assisted in Perez' corner by cutman Luis Reynaldo Mendoza, who once fought the legendary Alexis Arguello way back in 1974 losing via fourth round stoppage.

Banal versus Perez, a battle between southpaws, is expected to be a fight that will be difficult for both fighters.

"I see this fight as very difficult for both of them. They are both good southpaws, so expect a really great fight. This will not be easy for Perez, but he will win this one," added Fonseca.

Perez' first loss was to a prime Vernie Torres, a Filipino, way back in 2000, but that did not deter him from becoming a two-division world champion, defeating Felix Machado in 2003 for the IBF superfly title, and and Genaro Garcia four years later for the vacant IBF bantam title.

Other bouts featured on Saturday pit Mark Jason Melligen against Mexican Bladimir Hernandez; Jason Pagara versus Sapapetch Sor Sakaorat; Larry Bon Jovi Canillas against Ramie Laput; Jun Intor versus Romano Gelig; Wilbeth Loberanis versus Joel Lagusan; Ryan Canillas against Renjie Sabanal; and Rey Melligen against Billy Vullecer.

First bout starts at 6PM, while gates open at 5PM.

NOTES. Fans are advised to come earlier than usual for the fights, and to bring their cameras as they might want to have their photos taken against the backdrop of a beautiful mini-ring put up by ALA Promotions near the fight entrance...Or earlier if you want good parking at the hotel...Another reason to watch the fight, according to a source, is the possibility that Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera might also be at ringside to watch the bouts. The powerful duo will have their concert tonight at the same venue...Expect Perez to come into the bout the "bigger" man, as according to his manager, he is so good at shedding off poundage for the weigh-in, but bulks to add 15 lbs after weigh-in up to fight night...Official weigh-in is set 11AM today at the SM Atrium, open to the public...Time to see if Waterfront Hotel has finally solved the perennial problem of too much traffic for outgoing cars from the parking area after a major event. One irritated car owner said it took him two hours to finally leave the premises after the last boxing event held at the hotel.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Fri, 26 Dec 2025
  • THE RING 6: NIGHT OF THE SAMURAI OPEN WORKOUTS COMPLETE AS UNDISPUTED KING INOUE GETS READY FOR PICASSO CLASH IN RIYADH
    , Thu, 25 Dec 2025
  • 3-Time, 2-Division World Champion & IBF No. 1, Mandatory Bantamweight World Title Challenger Miyo Yoshida long overdue for her 8th World title fight
    , Thu, 25 Dec 2025
  • Game On! 1st Paower Pickleball Cup Ignites Action in San Fernando
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 25 Dec 2025
  • 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 2025
  • The Pryce is right again!
    , Wed, 24 Dec 2025
  • Postal Stamp Honoring Muhammad Ali will be present in January 15
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 24 Dec 2025
  • O’REILLY AUTO PARTS SIGNS LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIP DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
    , Wed, 24 Dec 2025
  • Isabela Chess University Wins Region 2 Chess League Title
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 24 Dec 2025
  • Cristobal stops Beltran in the 6th round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 23 Dec 2025
  • VENUE/DATE CHANGE: Shinard Bunch Takes on John Paul Magalong on THURSDAY, JANUARY 15TH AT THE WAR MEMORIAL IN TRENTON
    , Tue, 23 Dec 2025
  • Raquinel suffers 2nd setback in SA
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 23 Dec 2025
  • Oakland Municipal Auditorium: Sacred Hall Where Filipino Boxing World Champions Were Crowned
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 23 Dec 2025
  • IBA confirms Men’s World Boxing Championships results
    , Tue, 23 Dec 2025
  • Jordan Launches Pro Boxing Scene Appointing Amer Abdallah as Advisor
    , Tue, 23 Dec 2025
  • Fisher and Atencio Crowned Jax Mixed Doubles Open Champions
    , Sun, 21 Dec 2025
  • Jake Paul Undergoes Surgery for Broken Jaw Following Knockout Loss to Anthony Joshua
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 21 Dec 2025
  • Anthony Joshua Drops Jake Paul 4 Times En Route to a 6th Round Stoppage
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 20 Dec 2025
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Hails RP Blu Boys’ Golden Triumph at the SEA Games
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 20 Dec 2025
  • ACCRA WEIGH-IN RESULTS: RICHARDS AND AZEEZ PREPARE FOR HISTORIC CLASH
    , Sat, 20 Dec 2025
  • Two USA Boxing Junior National Champions Invited to Attend Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua Bout Friday in Miami
    , Sat, 20 Dec 2025
  • Ramon Cardenas Scores One Punch Knockout Over Erik Robles in Main Event of ProBoxTV’s The Contender Series
    , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • Jake Paul vs Anthony Joshua: The Jig Is Up
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025
  • January 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 2025
  • Jake Paul, Anthony Joshua Tip the Scales Ahead of Netflix Heavyweight Spectacle in Miami
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 19 Dec 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.