ANOTHER world title shot is lurking around the corner for top prospect AJ Banal if he succeeds in his Aug. 28 fight at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
?He is very close now (to a world title fight). He is rated highly in three boxing bodies,? ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu. ?We will pit him against a tough former world champion (on Aug. 28).?
Aldeguer said Banal?s foe will be named in the next few weeks because they are still shopping for an elite Latin American boxer.
Banal is rated in the top five in three of the four major boxing sanctioning bodies. He is ranked third in both the World Boxing Organization and the World Boxing Association and fourth in the International Boxing Federation.
?It is a risk but we want to see him where he is at right now and gauge him if he?s ready for a world title,? said Aldeguer.
In 2008, the 21-year-old Banal had his first title shot foiled after he was stopped in the 10th round by Rafael Concepcion in their WBA super flyweight bout at the Cebu Coliseum.
It was his first career loss.
However, Banal has revived his career, winning his last four fights?three by knockouts.
Milan Melindo will also be seeing action on the same card.
According to Aldeguer, the 22-year-old Melindo is close to fighting for a world title and they are just keeping him in shape.
