BANAL DEBACLE: LOOKING FOR ANSWERS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 30 Jul 2008
Boxing can sometimes be a cruel sport. But it's not in the ring where fighters often try to beat each other up in order to secure victory. It's outside, where good and decent men who show remarkable care and concern for fighters end up distraught because one of their prized possessions lost a chance ? temporary though it may well be ? of becoming a world champion.
Tony Aldeguer and his son Michael, who has assumed the mantle of the ALA Boxing Gym, are men of remarkable character and class and in that sense we somehow cannot fathom the justice that deprives them of victory and causes them so much grief.
When Z ?The Dream? Gorres was robbed right in his hometown of victory in the WBO super flyweight championship fight with Mexico?s Fernando Montiel we were personally angered by what happened and refuse to concede ever, despite the views of international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz, that Gorres lost.
Then came the debacle of Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista whose youthful exuberance caused him to forget what his trainers, led by Freddie Roach, told him and paid the price by trying to slug it out with Daniel Ponce De Leon.
Last Saturday, we grappled to find the answers to AJ ?Bazooka? Banal?s sudden dehydration and utter exhaustion after dominating Panama?s Rafael ?El Torito? Concepcion in the first four or five rounds when a clear low blow saw him grimace in pain and begin his downhill descent although the low blow could never be blamed as the reason for what happened.
The young man did absorb far too many punches to the side of his body by Concepcion who was adept at hitting and holding. Besides, we must face the harsh reality that Banal?s cornermen had no effective response and were, truth to tell, out-witted by veteran trainer Hector Roca and Pedro Romero. Concepcion, following his trainers' instructions to constantly pressure Banal and pound him to the body paid off handsomely in the end.
The punch that dropped Banal was not a particularly big shot but the Filipino southpaw was so weak and limp he went down easily and ? very wisely ? stayed down for the full count because for him to have gotten up and beaten the count would have been suicide in the condition he was in. By his action Banal clearly lived to fight another day and in the opinion of the great Oscar De La Hoya, he will eventually, along with Bautista, win a world title.
The last thing this fine young man needs at this time is for people to put him down, cast aspersions on his fighting heart and rule him out as a possible future world champion. Any nasty comments would border on the criminal.
But there is a real need to find out, first and foremost from AJ himself, what really happened and then to have him undergo a thorough medical checkup to find out the cause of his rapid dehydration and exhaustion.
All of us without exception need to give Banal a break. Let us not burden this young man with additional grief. He is obviously suffering enough as a result of his shocking loss. As for our esteemed friend Tony Aldeguer and his remarkable son Michael we must share their anguish and if at all possible soften their pain because AJ Banal was not only their fighter, he was ours, every one of us who wanted another world title.
It was not to be this time just as it was with Gorres and Bautista but it doesn?t mean it won?t happen in the future.
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