MANILA, Philippines – The bigger picture is to provide opportunities for Filipino fighters to become world champions and notwithstanding A. J. Banal?s shock loss to Pungluang Sor Singyu in a war for the vacant WBO bantamweight title at the MOA Arena last Saturday night, ALA Promotions head Michael Aldeguer said the battle for Pinoy pride will continue.
Aldeguer was a half-hour away from boarding a 9 a.m. flight to the US when he was interviewed by The STAR on the phone yesterday morning. He will attend the WBO convention in Florida and is expected back home on Nov. 16.
?We?re disappointed that A. J. lost,? said Aldeguer. ?But we?re proud of him. He fought a good fight. It wasn?t as if the Thai dominated. The fight was close and in judge Robert Hoyle?s scorecard, A. J. was up by three even if he was deducted a point for a low blow. When A. J. went down, he got up but referee Tony Weeks did what he had to do. A. J. was crying like a baby, he wanted to win so badly. It just wasn?t meant to be.?
Banal went to the Manila Doctors Hospital after the fight for doctors to sew up the cut over his right eye he sustained from an accidental headbutt in the third round. It took five stitches to close the wound. Aldeguer was at his side in the hospital.
?A. J. is not ALA,? said Aldeguer. ?There are two entities ? ALA Gym and ALA Promotions which my father (Antonio L. Aldeguer or ALA) put up. My father got involved in boxing to train kids, to help them achieve their dreams, to mold them, nurture them and give them the chance to make something of their lives. Five years ago, when I took over ALA Promotions, all I wanted was to preserve my father?s legacy, not for himself but for our country. This is beyond A. J. Our goal is to put Philippine boxing in the world map, to make the Philippines a location for world-class boxing events.?
