It’s been almost four years since AJ “Bazooka” Banal’s (28-1-1, 20 KOs) first and only world title bid. Banal was only 19-years-old when he faced rugged and then-unbeaten Rafael Concepcion who was already a man at 26 for the interim WBA super flyweight title.
Banal was winning the fight and ahead on all three judges’ scorecards when he got dropped in the 10th round. Shockingly, Banal couldn’t beat the count despite not getting tagged with a seriously damaging blow, which led some boxing experts to question his heart.
This weekend, Banal successfully got past his tune-up fight in Dumaguete City against Ruben Manakane (7-7-0) in an eight round scrap headlining a card subtly titled “One Last Time Before the Big Time”. That “big time” comes in the form of a title shot at the vacant WBO bantamweight crown.
Banal has patiently climbed his way back to the top, and together with his trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor, worked vehemently to address his weaknesses. “He is much more mature now,” Villamor told this scribe. “He is ready for a world title fight,” he added.
Video: AJ Banal, Boom-Boom Bautista, Peter Musngi Interview
Aside from working with Villamor, Banal has carried his power through the weights and has gotten in better conditioning with the help of strength and conditioning guru Pio Solon, and has been consulting with a team doctor provided by ALA Promotions to help their fighters deal with the psychological aspect of boxing. Banal is riding an 11-fight winning streak, and has vastly upgraded from the 19-year-old prospect who fought merely on emotion and talent.
“I’m ready. I have more things to fight for now like my family. I want to show them that I can become a world champion,” Banal said.
That world title fight, according to ABS-CBN Sports Vice President Peter Musngi, is likely headed to the new SM Mall of Asia Arena, the new state of the art stadium in Manila that has hosted acts like Nikki Minaj, Lady Gaga, and recently an NBA Legends contingent that consisted of Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Horace Grant that came over for an exhibition game.
“We’ll have AJ Banal at the Mall of Asia,” Musngi said in an interview with dSourceBoxing.com correspondent Chito Katangkatang, and added, “What we’re trying to do is break ground here in Manila, and hopefully by next year we’ll have four world champions.”
Other potential world champions in the ALA Boxing stable are Milan Melindo, Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista, and Genesis Servania. WBO jr. flyweight king Donnie “Ahas” Nietes is the company’s lone world champion.
