Philippines, 23 Apr 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:

  • EUBANK JR VS. BENN GRAND ARRIVALS QUOTES
    , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • Headlining again at home a dream come true for 16-0-1 junior middleweight Anthony Velasquez
    , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • Amateur Standout Stephanie Simon Signs with Split-T Boxing Management
    , Wed, 23 Apr 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 21 April 2025: Fundora KOs Badillo, Retains Undisputed Belts; Smith UD Germain; Kovalev Returns with a Win
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Bantamweight Anthony Garnica Scores TKO Against Aston Palicte to Remain Undefeated
    , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Higher Seeds New York, Denver Fall in Playoffs Second Games to Detroit Pistons, LA Clippers
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Young Gildo: The Baguio Bearcat
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Filipino International Master Paulo Bersamina places solo runner-up in the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open in Thailand
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Female Amateur Boxing Star Sar’ai Brown-El Signs with Split-T Management
    , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Apolinario to fight Hu in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Warriors Shoot Down Rockets, 95-85 as Celtics, Cavaliers, Thunder Take Care of Business
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • 2025 USA Boxing International Open Finalized on Saturday
    , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Verano to face Thai in Clash of Nations on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Masangkay to fight Ocampo in JAS on April 23
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Denver Holds Off LA Clippers in OT, 112-110
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Arca clinches 3rd and final IM norm; Guns for GM norm in last round
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
    , Sat, 19 Apr 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.