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:
Jerwin Ancajas Set for IBF Mandatory Eliminator Against Former World Champ Ryosuke Nishida; Winner Fights Naoya Inoue
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 11 Sep 2025“Night of Champions” Returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on September 19
Thu, 11 Sep 2025Local Favorite Bryce Mills Tops First Boxing Card At del Lago Resort & Casino
Thu, 11 Sep 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: It´s Fightweek Fight: Canelo vs. Crawford
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Casimero comeback next month in Kyrgyzstan?
By Nick Giongco, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Team USA Concludes Day Six of 2025 World Boxing Championships
Wed, 10 Sep 2025Andrade, Garras rule Milo marathon in Tagum
Wed, 10 Sep 2025CROCKER-DONOVAN II: INSIDE LOOK AT FIRST FACE-OFF IN BELFAST
Wed, 10 Sep 2025Former Panamanian WBA champ Jorge Lujan hospitalized
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Southern Sports Heroes Night on Sept. 28
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 10 Sep 2025ABAP feels WB’s growing pains
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 10 Sep 2025Laurente is new Philippine super featherweight champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 10 Sep 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 8 SEPTEMBER 2025: Nunez Outpoints Diaz; Iglesias Stops Shishkin; Valdez, Conlan Register Wins in Return
By Eric Armit, Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dante Kirkman Stays Undefeated Triumphing with Dominant Unanimous Decision Win
Tue, 09 Sep 2025Dream fight for Steven Sumpter vs. Undefeated Bek Nurmaganbet This Wednesday at Fontainebleau Las Vegas during ‘Canelo vs. Crawford’ Week
Tue, 09 Sep 2025