BANAL?S OPPONENT TO TRAIN IN U.S.
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 18 Jun 2008
Rafael Concepcion.
The Panamanian opponent of AJ ?Bazooka? Banal for the World Boxing Association super flyweight title, Rafael ?El Torito? Concepcion, will leave his hometown of Panama City to head to New York this weekend.
Fight Beat reported that Concepcion will join renowned trainers Hector Roca and Pedro Romero to resume training at the world famous boxing institution , Gleason?s gym in Brooklyn.
Concepcion is managed by Optimum Sports Agency whose Damon de Berry said ?Rafael will surprise a lot of people on July 26. We are going into their country and fighting their champion, but we are also going to come away with the win.?
Concepcion has dreamt of becoming a world champion since he was a child but his dream may well be turned into a nightmare against the hard-hitting southpaw AJ ?Bazooka? Banal who continues to train diligently at the famed ALA Gym in Cebu owned by respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer.
Youthful Michael Aldeguer who has quietly assumed the mantle of his father Tony told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that Banal was doing ?very, very well? and was sparring eight rounds with peomising Weng Haya and Bon Jovi ?who comes right at you.?
Aldeguer said Banal?s weight was ?very controlled? and was not at 122 pounds. He said Banal will step up sparring next week and will go ten rounds and later possibly twelve for the next two weeks.
The Banal-Concepcion world title fight will be telecast by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN ?live? from the Cebu City Coliseum.
Panama has two world champions at present, Anselmo Moreno and Celestino Caballero while the Philippines has four world titles held by ring idol Manny Pacquiao, Gerry Penalosa, Nonito Donaire and Donnie Nietes.
Panama is best remembered for its Hall-of-Famer, Roberto ?Hands of Stone? Duran.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026DCL amateur MMA on Feb. 21 at Sta. Lucia Mall
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 05 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 FEBRUARY 2026: Shakur Schools Teofimo to Become 4-Division Champ; Zayas Unifies WBA/WBO Superwelter; Kelly Beats Murtazaliev
By Eric Armit, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Grand Week for Boxing in NY
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026