BANAL LOOKS SHARP IN PUBLIC SPARRING (With Photos)
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 16 Jul 2008
CEBU CITY -- AJ 'Bazooka' Banal appearead sharp and ready during yesterday's public sparring at the ALA Gym in Banilad here. Banal, who will be fighting for the vacant WBA supefly (115 lbs) title against Rafael Concepcion of Panama on July 26 at the Cebu Coliseum, went for three rounds against the bigger and heavier super bantam Hilario Canillas in a spirited no holds barred sparring where Canillas gave his all throwing looping rights and lefts that Banal agilely sidestepped or blocked before throwing his well-timed counters.
At one point Canillas was pushed to the ropes after a sustained attack with pinpoint combinations by Banal that had the jampacked crowd at the ALA Gym burst in applause.
"He's ready," ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor quipped. With the quickness of his his movements and sharpness of his punches that he had shown yesterday, Banal indeed appeared ready to take on, not only Concepcion, but the whole world as well.
Main supporting boxers for the 'PANAHON NA BANAL' card Milan Melindo, who will take on carlos Melo of Panama for the WBA Intercontinental lightfly championship, and Michael Domingo who will take on Chaiyong Sakkreerin of Thailand, also sparred for three rounds each. Melindo sparred with another ALA rising boxer Jerson Mancio while Domingo took on Joseph Omanz. Banal, Melindo and Domingo had already logged more than 100 rounds of sparring each and are on the tailend of their preparation for the highly anticipated July 26 showdown.
Top photo: Banal looks for an opening on Canillas' during their sparring at the ALA Gym in Banilad yesterday.
Banal (L) sidesteps from a Canillas left cross.
Banal (L) parries a Canillas left to the stomach.
Banal (R) tags Canillas with a short right.
Melindo (L) and Mancio during yesterday's sparring.
Domingo (L) and Omanz during yesterday's sparring.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
Sun, 20 Apr 2025FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Sat, 19 Apr 2025WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Weights From Washington, PA
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Jerald Into Advances in WBC Boxing Grand Prix with Dominant Win Over Ahmad Jones
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Set for Homecoming Title Defense against Edwin De Los Santos at Norfolk's Scope Arena
Sat, 19 Apr 2025JAKE PAUL vs JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR / ZURDO RAMIREZ vs YUNIEL DORTICOS JUNE 28 in ANAHEIM
Sat, 19 Apr 2025