BANAL WILL BOUNCE BACK, SAYS WBO EXEC
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 28 Jul 2008
AJ "Bazooka" Banal, who lost in his bid to win the WBA interim superfly title on Saturday, still has long ways to go and will definitely return a stronger and more dangerous fighter after his devastating loss at the hands of Panama's Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion.
This was the observation made yesterday by World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo, who was at special ringside during the fight.
"You know, he's only a 19-year-old kid, and people tend to put too much pressure on him. Let's give him a break, and let him pick up the pieces," said Panoncillo in an exclusive interview in Zamboanga City where he flew the following morning after the fight.
Banal was leading on all three judges' scorecards when in the tenth, he was felled by a glancing blow to the face after heavy body bombardment from Concepcion. Silence wrapped the crowd when Banal did not respond to his corner's shouts to get up, and opted to remain on the canvas as referee Raul Caiz Jr tolled the count of ten.
Panoncillo added that although Banal lost to Concepcion for the WBA interim title, indications are that Golden Boy Promotions of Oscar De la Hoya is still keen on signing him up as a talent.
"There's no question that Banal has great potentials. All he needs right now is the right training and conditioning program," added Panoncillo.
Meanwhile, newly-crowned WBO Oriental bantamweight champion Michael Domingo is expected to move up in the world rankings and can now look forward to bigger fights ahead of him.
Domingo, who gained international fame when he defeated the then unbeaten Mexican Miguel Roman at the World Cup last year, blasted Indonesia's Rivo Rengkung in two rounds to win the Oriental title.
Panoncillo says that Domingo might next defend his title against former world champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin, who twice faced WBO bantam champ Gerry Penalosa in the past.
"Domingo is turning out to be quite a revelation. He impressed a lot of people Saturday night," added the boxing executive.
Top photo: AJ 'Bazooka' Banal (R) tags Rafael Concepcion with a right hook in this bit of action from their duel last Saturday at the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Suarez Looks to Exploit Navarrete's Weight Problem
By Ed de la Vega, DDS, Sat, 10 May 2025Weekend Preview & Picks for ESPN, DAZN, & ProBox Bouts
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 10 May 2025Weights from Fort Washington, MD
Sat, 10 May 2025Navarrete, Suarez Make Weight for WBO Title Clash; Muratalla and Abdullaev Ready for Interim IBF Battle
Sat, 10 May 2025HIGHLY-TOUTED BANTAMWEIGHT ADAM MACA SIGNS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
Sat, 10 May 2025CAPITO CRASHES OUT IN TITLE DEFENCE AS YAPP ENDS UK OPEN REIGN | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Sat, 10 May 2025A TRIO OF MATCHUPS ADDED TO "CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: A NIGHT OF BOXING" PRESENTED BY 555 MEDIA AND BASH BOXING
Fri, 09 May 2025SHAW SURGES AS CAPITO STUMBLES IN TITLE DEFENCE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Fri, 09 May 20252025 USA Boxing Youth Men’s and Women’s High Performance Teams announced
Fri, 09 May 2025Jessie Villasin chess tournament on Sunday
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 09 May 2025Press Conference Notes: San Diego Favorite Emanuel Navarrete Set to Reignite Mexico-Philippines Rivalry against Charly Suarez
Fri, 09 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS PRESENTS: UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLARESSA SHIELDS vs. LANI DANIELS SATURDAY, JULY 26 * LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
Fri, 09 May 2025Unbeaten Anthony Velazquez pitched shutout at home in Springfield
Fri, 09 May 2025TYSON FURY VOTED THE MOST ENTERTAINING BOXER IN THE WORLD, ACCORDING TO BRITISH FANS
Fri, 09 May 2025Undefeated super middleweight contender Darius Fulghum preparing to ‘Make a big splash’ vs. Bek Melikuziev
Fri, 09 May 2025