BANAL WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR TITLE SHOT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 11 Apr 2008
Undefeated AJ ?Bazooka? Banal ( 17-0-1, 14 KO's) who earned the No.1 spot in the International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior bantamweight ratings after his impressive fourth round TKO over previously unbeaten Latino champion Caril "El Raton" Herrera (21-0-1, 13 KO's) of Uruguay, will have to wait for a title shot.
IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker informed Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that reigning champion Dimitri Kirilov of Russia must first fight former flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan in a mandatory before facing the deadly Filipino southpaw.
Tucker said ?a purse bid has been scheduled next week and the winner of the fight (Kirilov vs Darchinyan) will have nine months before he faces Banal.?
Darchinyan, the cocky Australian who suffered a stunning one-punch knockout at the hands of Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire last July 7 and fought Z ?The Dream? Gorres to a controversial draw in an IBF eliminator in Cebu City earned the mandatory shot at Kirilov despite the draw because he was rated higher than Gorres.
Respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer of the famed ALA Gym said he was ?in no hurry? to have Banal fight for the title and said he was interested in having the teenaged southpaw ?break into the No.1 spot? and had even asked OPBF president Frank Quill to help improve Banal?s rating in the WBC where he was No. 13 in the most recent ratings while Caril Herrera whom he annihilated was No. 2.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
UNDEFEATED KNOCKOUT MONSTER VERGIL ORTIZ JR. DESTROYS ERICKSON LUBIN IN SECOND-ROUND
Sun, 09 Nov 2025Manny Pacquiao Arrives in LA to Oversee Son Jimuel's Highly Anticipated Pro Debut
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Robert Racasa Shines for the Philippines on First Day of World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 09 Nov 2025P20k for 42k winners in 3rd SDSPPO
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Weights Set for Tomorrow’s Sanman Boxing Show in General Santos City
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz vs. Erickson Lubin: Can Lubin Tip the Ortiz/Ennis Apple Cart?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Gibbons’ ‘Thrilla’ regrets
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Erickson Lubin Set for Explosive Showdown in Fort Worth
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Ring Officials Announced for Michael Hunter Vs Eli Frankham - York Hall, 5th December
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Baseball in the Sulaimán Family
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Shields signs $8 million multi year contract with Salita Promotions
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 08 Nov 2025A TIBUTE TO VICTOR CONTE
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Lhuillier Lauds RP Blu Boys’ Triumph in Japan Tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025FIDE Rated Chess Tournament Pasig Police Board Patrol Checkpoint Challenge
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025MANNY PACQUIAO VS. FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. ONCE AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 07 Nov 2025