Philippines, 15 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


RAFAEL CONCEPCION: "YES, I WILL KNOCK OUT BANAL AGAIN"


PhilBoxing.com




Former WBA super flyweight interim world champion Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion of Panama has said today that he would be delighted to travel back to Philippines for another thrilling battle with Filipino bantamweight star AJ "Bazooka" Banal.

Rafael Concepcion and AJ Banal fought an exciting WBA title clash at Cebu Coliseum in July of 2008, which was won by "El Torito" in a dramatic 10th round KO.

That sole stunning defeat against Concepcion is the only blemish in the stellar boxing record of the 22-year-old Cebu resident AJ Banal (23-1, 19 KO's).

Three years after their first war "Bazooka" Banal is currently rated as the WBA #4 bantamweight in the world, while the former interim world champion "Torito" Concepcion is rated at WBA #14.

Would it be possible for the Cebuano boxing fans to see their local kid AJ Banal in a fight to redeem himself and avenge his only defeat?

Yes, its possible. During the recent press conference announcing the "Pinoy Pride 7" card during last weekend in Cebu, Philippines, ALA Promotions, the handlers of AJ Banal, have expressed interest in staging Concepcion-Banal II.

Would Rafael "Torito" Concepcion be interested?

Let's find out.

The following are excerpts of today's phone conversation between the author of this article and Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion, who was with his wife Ashley at their home at Barriada 24 de Diciembre in Panama:

Hola Rafa, como estas. Filipino boxer AJ Banal and his management have said to be interested in a rematch with you. Would you be interested in fighting Banal again?

Yes, sure, mi hermano. The fight is attractive. It should be very attractive to them (Banal and ALA Promotions). And again a difficult battle for me. Because I know that he (Banal) is an excellent fighter.

Since you are willing to give a rematch to Banal, how can this work out?

As of now, I have plans to fight in Panama in August. And there are some talks of an offer for me to fight in Japan later on this year.

Those are the near future plans that I have. But I am interested to go back to Cebu and KO to ALA's pupil (Banal).

Our rematch might be done. For me no problem.

Your response is so positive, Torito, so the Filipino boxing fans can expect to see you fighting Banal again?

Yes, and the prospect of fighting again in an ALA Promotions card is always attractive to me. They are all gentlemen. Don Antonio Aldeguer was friendly and treated me nice during my stay in Cebu.

However, the Filipino fans must know that I am no longer the little "Chiquillo" (unknown kid) who flew from so far away into Cebu armed with the dream of becoming a champion.

After my fight with Banal I have kept walking in life and I have kept fighting.

Now boxing fans know me because I got in the ring with the best fighters in the world.

Banal keeps fighting as well. He will fight in Cebu against Canadian Tyson Cave (15-1, 5KO's), on July 30. So it seems that if Banal wins this fight, a rematch with you is next.

Actually, if Banal wins or loses, I am willing to give him the rematch.

The friends of ALA Promotions may make a specific offer (date, place and purse) so that I can think it over and commit myself to the rematch.

Good luck to my amigo AJ in his coming fight. Let's hope that his next fight is a rematch with me.

Top photo: Banal (R) and Concepcion during the official weighin of their first fight in Cebu in July, 2008. Photo by Carlos Costa.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • THAI SIMSRI READY FOR CHRISTIAN ARANETA IN IBF WORLD TITLE SHOWDOWN THURSDAY IN JAPAN; WILL THE CEBUANO “BOMB” STOP HIM?
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Jun 2025
  • Pinoy Power! Pacquiao, Donaire, and Araneta Ready to Shine in World Title Fights
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Jun 2025
  • “PROSPECTS COLLIDE” TAKES CENTER STAGE
    , Sun, 15 Jun 2025
  • Nonito Donaire Favorite to Beat Andrés Campos for WBA Interim World Title; Both Men Make Weight Ready in Argentina!
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Oklahoma Forces 2-2 Finals Series Tie, Starves Indiana for Point in 111-104 Win
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • PROSPECTS COLLIDE OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
    , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Hitchins vs. Kambosos: Can George Be More Than A Faded Name?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Four Boxers Advance to Gold Medal Matches on Day Three of World Boxing Challenge Grand Prix Usti Nad Labem
    , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM NEW YORK: HITCHINS - 140 LBS., KAMBOSOS - 139.4 LBS.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Gaviola to face Narukami in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Pacquiao Steps Up Training
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Balla stops Cabalquinto in 4th round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Eight-year-old Marius Constante sweeps 5-round chess fest in Cebu
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz and Top Lightweight Contender Edwin De Los Santos Part Ways Amicably
    , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Unification WBA & IBA Pro title fight Albert Batyrgaziev vs James Dickens to crown boxing show in Istanbul on 2 July
    , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • How the Ring's P4P Ranking Has Strayed from the Norms of Nat and Nigel
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FROM HITCHINS VS. KAMBOSOS JR
    , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS UNVEILS REMAINING PRELIMINARY CARD BOUTS FOR JAKE PAUL VS. JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR.
    , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier: Leading Philippine Softball’s Unstoppable Rise to International Dominance
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • Team USA Sends Seven Boxers to the Medal Rounds Thursday at World Boxing Challenge Grand Prix Usti Nad Labem 2025
    , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • Jerusalem, Taduran 1-2 at Minimumweight; Llover Enters Bantam in Ring's Latest Ratings
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • July 26: Rohan Polanco-Quinton Randall Welterweight Showdown Tops Xander Zayas-Jorge Garcia Undercard at The Theater at Madison Square Garden
    , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Weekend at the International Boxing Hall Of Fame
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 12 Jun 2025
  • Nonito Donaire to fight again, faces Campos on June 14
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 12 Jun 2025
  • Cabalquinto Set to Face Australian Balla on Maniatis Card
    , Thu, 12 Jun 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.