Philippines, 18 Jun 2026
  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:

  • PACHECO CLASHES WITH ALEEM ON STACKED LA CARD
    , Thu, 18 Jun 2026
  • Rising Mexican Contender Neider Valdez Steps in to Face Pound-for-Pound Puerto Rican Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo in WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Championship Fight
    , Thu, 18 Jun 2026
  • Sumabong to defend WBO title against undefeated Taiwanese on July 11 in Bohol
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Jordan Orozco Remains Perfect with Dominant Third-Round TKO of Fernando Diaz on MVP/Boxlab Card in Orlando
    , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Floyd Mayweather Jr could face charges of fraud in Las Vegas
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • EDDIE HEARN SIGNS DIVINE OMOJOR FOR MATCHROOM BOXING ON LONG-TERM DEAL AS NEWCASTLE TEENAGE CRUISERWEIGHT TURNS PRO
    , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • DC Trail Ultra on July 26 in Calinan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Torre to grace Gov. Oaminal Chess Festival
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Apolinar, Santisima to fight on June 19 in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Canoy still waiting for his US visa for June 20 fight against Collazo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • "Hand of Stone" Roberto Durán celebrates 75th birthday
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Sy-Tancontian excited on Asia and Oceania Sambo Championships
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier Backs RP Blu Girls' Intensive Japan Training Camp Ahead of Women's Softball World Cup
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • Digos 2 Malita 70km Ultramarathon on June 20
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 17 Jun 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 17 JUNE 2026: Bam Stops Vargas in 6; Wins by Michel Soro, Wilkens Mathieu, Elif Nur Turhan, Nataly Delgado and Abraham Perez
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated world champion Ataev faces experienced Venezuelan puncher Uzcátegui at IBA PRO 19
    , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Full Fight Card Set for MF Pro’s “Pugilist Revolution” June 19 at Thunder Studios in Long Beach
    , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Campbell son of Ricky Hatton confirms ring return
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Deaño to fight for ABF super feather title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Former champ Andy Ruiz could return against Huggie Fury in 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 16 Jun 2026
  • Mexican legend Jackie Nava inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 15 Jun 2026
  • Ronnie Alvarez Dominates Filip Stankovic, Scores Seventh-Round TKO at Desert Diamond Arena
    , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • THE CROWNING OF BAM: Rodriguez Overcomes Early Storm to Detonate Vargas in Six, Eyes Inoue Super-Fight
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • New York Knicks win the NBA Championship with historic comeback
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026
  • Panamanian superstar Nataly Delgado wins 115lb female WBA world championship in Orlando, Florida
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 14 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.