BANAL VS CONCEPCION FORMALLY ANNOUNCED!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 04 Jul 2008
CEBU CITY--The huge July 26 card featuring WBA no. 3 AJ 'Bazooka' Banal and no. 6 Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion has been announced today through a well-prepared press conference at the Chika-an Restaurant owned by businessman Derek Dytian.
Dubbed "Laban na Banal", the event features a night of WBA action for the vacant WBA superfly title plus a WBA Intercontinental championship in the chief support.
"We are proud to hold this event here in Cebu, and we expect a very good crowd turnout," said Michael Aldeguer of the ALA Promotions, which is putting up the event with ABS-CBN and Oscar De la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions.
The 19-year-old Banal of the ALA Gym is hoping to become the third youngest Filipino to win a world crown next to Morris East and Ben Villaflor, and edge superstar Manny Pacquiao to fourth place in the youngest category.
"I am ready for this fight. I feel confident of my training. We are doing everything in the gym to win this fight," said Banal, who came with his trainer Edmund Villamor.
Team Concepcion is slated to arrive on a Sunday one week before the fight, revealed ALA Promotions' Dennis Canete.
Another ALA fighter, the unbeaten Milan Milendo, also graced the press conference, as well as ALA fighters Michael Domingo and James Bacon.
Milendo takes on Panama's Carlos Melo for the WBA Intercontinental 105-lb title.
Domingo, the reigning RP bantam champion, battles Chaiyong Sakkreering in a 10-round face-off, while Bacon goes up against Vacharakit Senakarn.
A special attraction takes place when stunner Brenda Shaylor of Las Vegas, Nevada takes on Reynalyn Consejo Jacob of Bacolod City in a 4-round encounter.
The rest of the card pits Rocky Fuentes against Roldan Malinao, Robert Allanic versus Leonardo Doronio, and Hilario 'Bon Jovi' Canillas against Ramil Cabalan.
Top photo (L-R): James Bacon, Michael Domingo, trainer Edmund Villamor, AJ 'Bazooka' Banal, Milan Melindo, ALA President Michael Aldeguer and ALA Promotions VP Dennis Canete during the presscon held this morning at the Chika-an Restaurant in Lahug, Cebu City formally announcing the Banal-Concepcion fight.
LABAN NA BANAL: (L-R) Michael Domingo, Milan Melindo, AJ Banal, Michael Aldeguer and Dennis Canete.
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