BANAL OUTBOXES BERANZA
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 31 Aug 2009
The title of this article would seem strange to those who have religiously followed the career of AJ Banal.
The Bazooka from Ermita, Cebu City is known for mercilessly blasting his opponents. But the ALA gym southpaw showed another side of his game by using lateral movement, feints and employing defense against the tough Mexican Jose Angel Beranza (32-15-2, 25 KOs).
Banal (20-1-1, 15 KOs) launched his combinations and body shots behind a busy right jab. He circled effectively from trouble and utilized head movement to avoid being caught. I actually thought I was watching his stable mate Z Gorres.
But Beranza was tough like most Mexicans and took Banal?s best shots and continued to charge forward to land some of his own. Except for the ninth round where they bled from head butts and Banal was deducted a point for punching low, his victory was never in doubt. Beranza made one last stand in the tenth and pushed Banal down twice.
Banal easily escaped from trouble and won a unanimous ten round decision. The judges? scores were 99-92, 98-91 and 98-92. The fight was held in the undercard of the Brian Viloria-Jesus Iribe IBF jr.flyweight title bout in Hawaii where Viloria retained his crown by unanimous decision.
This is Banal?s third win this year. He has had two easy knockout wins over Nouldy Manakane of Indonesia and Mbwana Matumla of Tanzania. The 20 year old Banal needs more battle hardened opponents like Beranza so that he can mature as a fighter.
Last year, Banal was leading on the scorecards then ran out of gas and subsequently stopped by Panama?s Rafael Concepcion in the 10th round of their WBA interim superflyweight title fight in Cebu City.
If AJ continues to win, we may get to see him get another world title crack next year as a bantamweight.
Top photo: AJ 'Bazooka' Banal (L) of the Philippines connects with a left uppercut on Jose Angel Beranza of Mexico during their 10-round bantanweight bout at Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii Saturday night. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Press Conference Notes: Puerto Rican Star Xander Zayas Ready for Saturday's Hometown Unification Battle against Abass Baraou
Fri, 30 Jan 2026PFDA Grass Nationals in Tagum on June 5-7
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026‘THE RING 6’ TEOFIMO LOPEZ VS. SHAKUR STEVENSON PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 30 Jan 2026NEWCASTLE PRESS CONFERENCE: WHAT WAS SAID AS JOSH KELLY AND BAKHRAM MURTAZALIEV ARE KEPT APART AFTER HEATED FACE-OFF
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Flores vs. Castillo’ at Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
Fri, 30 Jan 2026WAPA Deportes Confirmed as Puerto Rican Broadcast Home for Saturday’s Xander Zayas vs. Abass Baraou Title Unification Showdown
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Legendary Panamanian Juan Carlos Tapia will be inducted into the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Announces Additional Matchups for Saturday, February 28 Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, New York
Fri, 30 Jan 2026SWERVE TV STRIKES MULTI-YEAR PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO EXPAND PREMIUM BOXING CONTENT
Fri, 30 Jan 2026Leuenbergers to join IRONMAN® 70.3 Davao
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 30 Jan 2026Open Workout: Xander Zayas and Abass Baraou Prepare For Saturday's Unification Showdown in Puerto Rico
Thu, 29 Jan 2026Cabrera-Zapata Kicks Off All Star Boxing's 2026 Season
Thu, 29 Jan 2026Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines: Cash prizes, FIDE rating at stakes this Sunday
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 29 Jan 2026IBP Fun Run & Family Day on February 15
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 29 Jan 2026TEOFIMO LOPEZ AND SHAKUR STEVENSON FACE-OFF AT KNICKS GAME AS COUNTDOWN TO ‘THE RING 6’ ON SATURDAY BEGINS
Wed, 28 Jan 2026