AJ ?Bazooka? Banal was caught off guard and fell hard to the canvas from a wicked right hook to the head by Luis Alberto Perez. He was knocked out but he didn?t lose the fight because the punch that nearly put him to sleep was thrown illegally during the main event of the Pinoy Pride at the Waterfont Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.
After Banal dominated the first six rounds, he was caught by a left punch by the 32-year-old Nicaraguan that dazed him. Perez tried to finish Banal with combinations,but Banal wisely clinched to stop Perez from hitting him.
Referee Ver Abainza tried to separate the two fighters but as he was doing that, Perez threw a powerful hook to the 21-year-old Cebuano?s head that opened up a huge gash.
Because of Perez?s unsportsmanlike move, Banal was awarded the disqualification victory in 1:46 of the seventh round.
After the decision was read, Perez?s corner was furious because they thought it was a clean blow.
?I told you after the fourth round, Perez will knock him out. The referee was behind the boxer so Luis Perez may throw a punch,? said Perez?s manager Marco Antonio Garcia Fonseca.
Fonseca said they will send the tapes to the boxing organizations to review the fight.
?Banal will never be a world champion. He is not a good boxer. He is good for only five rounds, after the fifth he scrambles,? he said.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer, on the other hand, believes it was the right decision.
?Once the referee comes in between and holds the two boxers, you?re not supposed to hit,? said Aldeguer, who added he is open for a rematch.
Aldeguer also brushed off Fonseca?s comments of Banal never becoming a world champion.
?That?s his opinion,? he said. ?Banal will have to learn. If you look at the whole fight, it was a shutout win. He showed his skill, versatility and maturity.?
Banal improved to 21-1-1 with 17 knockouts while two-division world champion Perez fell to 26-5 with 17 knockouts.
Mark Jason Melligen showed his might as he demolished Mexican Bladimir Hernandez in the 2:57 mark of the third.
Tempo
The 23-year-old Melligen, who is based in the US, dictated the pace of the fight, using his jab to open up Hernandez?s defense and following it up with a mix of combinations to the body and the head.
Following a lopsided first round, Hernandez started to trade leathers with Melligen in the second but the Bacolod City native got the upper hand in the tangle because of his more accurate punches.
Melligen started to focus on hitting the 25-year-old Mexican?s body in the third and landed a powerful shot to the body that sent Hernandez to the canvas.
