IBF ASSURES BANAL WILL BE RATED NO. 1
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 28 Apr 2008
International Boxing Federation (IBF) Championship Committee chairman Lindsey Tucker has assured Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that undefeated AJ ?Bazooka? Banal will be ranked No. 1 in the super flyweight division in the May ratings.
Tucker said he thinks Banal ?may have missed the cut-off date? for the April ratings but ?will show up as No.1 in the May ratings.?
Banal earned the No. 1 spot following his impressive fourth round TKO over previously unbeaten Latino champion Caril Herrera of Uruguay in the ?Invasion? Philippines vs The World? fight card at the Araneta Coliseum last April 6.
Tucker also confirmed that Banal will be the mandatory challenger for the winner of the title fight between IBF super flyweight champion Dimitri Kirilov and former IBF flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan of Australia.
Tucker told us ?unfortunately he (Banal) must wait until that fight (Kirilov-Darchinyan) is completed. He will then be the mandatory for the winner but will have to wait nine months before he fights for the title.?
Earlier, WBC president Don Jose Sulaiman said Banal ?fought very well? against Herrera who was ranked No. 2 by the WBC behind champion Christian Mijares and No. 1 Jorge Arce. Sulaiman said the Filipino southpaw will ?definitely break into the ratings. No question about that.? Banal is currently rated No. 6 by the WBA, will now move from No. 7 to No. 1 in the IBF ratings and is No. 4 in the WBO.
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:
Manny 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 2025NBA Reportedly Met with Congress Regarding Gambling Issues
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 07 Nov 2025