NEGRENSE boxing fans are excited to see Alex John “AJ” Banal wrap a world championship belt on his waist and look forward to witness his forthcoming fight on TV apart from their excitement over the June 29 Pacquiao-Diaz WBC lightweight bout.
Asked who their favorite pro boxer is, majority of amateur boxers who flock to train daily at the boxing gym of the Negros Amateur Boxing Association (Naba) located at the ground floor of the Paglaum Sports Complex along Libertad St. readily mention the name of the 19 year-old Banal as their overwhelming favorite next to the Pacman.
Banal, a prime prospect for a world title crown from among the young and promising wards of Cebu-based Negrense boxing patron Antonio “Bidoy” Aldeguer of the world-famous ALA Gym and Stable, is set to tangle against Rafael Concepcion of Panama for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight crown on July 26 at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City.
Rated world number 3, the Cebu City native got a crack at the world title following the WBA’s declaration of the championship as vacant after then champion Alexander Mu?oz bowed to World Boxing Council titleholder Christian Mijarez.
WBO reigning world minimumweight champion Donnie Nietes of Murcia, Negros Occidental and Barangay Granada in Bacolod City, told Sun.Star Bacolod in a text message Wednesday he believes his stablemate Banal has the preparation needed to win a world title.
“AJ may be young but he already has 10 solid years experience as a boxer plus enough training and exposure so I believe he is ready for a world title,” Nietes said. (HCV)
