Day of reckoning for Banal
Unbeaten superflyweight A. J. (Bazooka) Banal is out to prove he’s for real when he takes on Panama’s Rafael (El Torito) Concepcion in a 12-round bout for the interim WBA 115-pound title at the New Cebu Coliseum this Saturday.
For Banal, the moment of truth has finally arrived. If he beats Concepcion, Banal will earn the right to face the winner of the Sept. 15 duel between Nobuo Nashiro and Kohei Kono for the WBA superflyweight crown on or before Dec. 18.
Banal’s manager Michael Aldeguer said yesterday the fight marks a sentimental homecoming for the southpaw who will see action in the arena close to his boyhood roots. Banal grew up in the tough Tondo-like Ermita district behind the New Cebu Coliseum.
“The stadium is walking distance from where he was raised,” said Aldeguer. “A. J. is excited about fighting close to home. His family, childhood friends and relatives will be at ringside. Although fans expect a convincing win by A. J., he’s not pressured. He’s relaxed and calm. He knows he’s up against a power puncher but he’s confident in his skills.”
Banal, 19, said he won’t engage Concepcion toe-to-toe at the start. He’ll probe, jab and use movement in the early rounds before moving in for the kill. ”I expect an action-packed fight,” said Aldeguer. “Concepcion is a slugger who just comes at you with both hands. His punches are wide and he leaves himself open charging in. What makes him dangerous is you don’t know where his punches are coming from. He’s not a volume puncher like A. J.’s last opponent (Caril) Herrera but he’s a much stronger hitter.” Concepcion trained nearly two months for Banal under the legendary Hector Roca – who has worked with Arturo Gatti, Iran Barkley, Buddy McGirt and Agapito Sanchez – at the fabled Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn. Roca described Concepcion as a Gatti-type brawler who never backs down.
“This will be power versus power,” said Aldeguer. “While Concepcion will try to knock out A. J. as quickly as possible, I see A. J. being patient and looking to set up. They’ll eventually slug it out so it’s going to end up an all-out war.”
Aldeguer said the demand for tickets is heavy. A sellout is in the offing at the 10,000-seat Coliseum with ticket prices ranging from P150 for general admission to P2,500 for the front row.
International matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz, nicknamed “Picasso” for his boxing masterpieces, arrived the other day to witness Banal’s coming of age. Two years ago, Lewkowicz predicted the teenaged Banal would someday become a world champion. “Regardless of the outcome, this will be a great fight,” said Lewkowicz. “I’m very excited to watch two youngsters fight for the world title. If A. J. wins, he’ll fight the winner of Nashiro versus Kono. Beyond that, I can’t say. As Picasso, my job is to paint a picture and let it dry before starting on a new portrait. A. J. shouldn’t take Concepcion lightly. It won’t be a walk in the park and if it is, it’ll be a very long walk.”
South Korea’s Yang Sup Shim has been designated as WBA ringside supervisor. The referee is Raul Caiz, Sr. of Texas with judges Philippe Verbeke of Belgium, Francisco Martinez of New Zealand and Chalerm Prayadsab of Thailand.
Concepcion turned pro in 2002 and has compiled a 10-2-1 record, with six KOs. His losses to Alexander Murillo and Ricardo Molina were later reversed via knockouts in rematches.
A bell-to-bell warrior, Concepcion got up from two knockdowns in the second round to halt Jean Piero Perez in the third last March. He was also floored by Molina in their first meeting. Concepcion has won his last seven outings. It will be his first bout outside of Panama.
Banal made his pro debut in 2005 and boasts a 17-0-1 record, with 14 KOs. He has won twice in the US and his last 10 victims were foreigners.
Aldeguer said among the VIPs trooping to the coliseum this Saturday are former Sen. Tito and Vic Sotto, Golden Boy vice president Eric Gomez, WBO Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo, Panamanian Ambassador to the Philippines Juan Felipe Pitty, Australian TV talk show host Peter Maniatis and fans from Australia, Japan and the US.
In the undercard, unbeaten Milan Melindo faces Panama’s Carlos (Shanghai) Melo for the WBA Intercontinental minimumweight title and veteran Michael Domingo meets Indonesia’s Rivo Rengkung for the WBO Oriental bantamweight crown.
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Day of reckoning for Banal
By Joaquin Henson - Philstar.com
Thursday, July 24, 2008