THOUGH he has won his last four fights, AJ ?Bazooka? Banal isn?t anything like his former dominant self. The 26-year-old Banal wasn?t impressive in his latest bout and just settled for a unanimous decision over Maxaisai Sithsaithong, a fighter whom he should have beaten easily.
Because of that, Banal will get a confidence-booster fight when he takes on Indonesian Junior Bajawa in the undercard of the blockbuster Pinoy Pride 30 show at the Araneta Coliseum.
?It will still test AJ if he has it or not. His last fight was not impressive,? said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer.
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Banal has won four straight in a row since losing his second world title attempt in 2012 against Pungluang Sor Singyu. Banal was in control most of the fight before he was stopped by Sor Singyu in the ninth round.
Bajawa should post little threat to Banal as the 24-year-old Indonesian has lost his last four fights.
Banal is 32-2-1 with 22 knockouts, while Bajawa is 14-5 with seven knockouts.
Also in the undercard, Japanese former world title challenger Ryo Akaho (25-1-2, 17 KOs) makes his Philippine debut in the undercard as he takes on Ghanaian Prosper Ankrah (24-4, 15 KOs) for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) International bantamweight title.
