BANAL TO BATTLE EX WORLD CHAMPION LUIS PEREZ
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 16 Jun 2010
AJ "Bazooka" Banal who has clearly recovered from his stunning 10th round knockout at the hands of Panama?s Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion on July 26, 2008 in Cebu is scheduled to battle former world champion Luis Perez of Nicaragua at the Waterfront Hotel on August 28.
The 32 year old Perez has a record of 26-4 with 17 knockouts and has been in the ring with some of the best in his weight division. Perez won the vacant IBF bantamweight title with a 7th round TKO over rugged Genaro Garcia on July 7, 2007 after earlier winning the IBF super flyweight crown with a twelve round split decision over Dmitriy Kirilov, the former flyweight world champion.
Perez also won the WBA super bantamweight interim title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Ricardo Cordoba on September 18, 2005 but lost to tough Joseph Agbeko in an IBF bantamweight title showdown on July 29, 2007.
An aggressive southpaw with punching power and solid credentials, Perez is bound to provide a formidable test for Banal in his pursuit of a world title.
The 21 year old southpaw Banal has a record of 21-1-1 with 17 knockouts and has recovered from the loss to Concepcion with four straight wins in impressive fashion.
He won by a 4th round knockout over Nouldy Manakane on January 31, 2009 and followed this up with a 2nd round knockout of the ?Golden Boy of Africa? Mbwana Matumla before winning a comfortable ten round decision over Mexican Angel Beranza on August 29, 2009.
In his last fight Banal scored a smashing 4th round knockout over many time world title challenger Cecilio Santos on January 14, 2010.
Banal who has been training hard at the famed ALA Gym in Cebu is also slated to have what amounts to a tune-up fight in the picturesque province of Bohol on July 17. However, there is no word yet on his opponent.
Other fighters on the planned Bohol card which will be part of the Sandugo Celebrations will be young Jason Pagara and James Bacon.
The big August card at the plush Pacific Ballroom of the Waterfront Hotel will also feature world No.1 minimum weight Milan Melindo, come-backing southpaw Jimrex Jaca and possibly Michael Domingo.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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