Banal?s continuing journey for redemption
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 16 Jul 2010
The Sandugo festival is an annual celebration held in Tagbilaran City on the island of Bohol. It is a historical festival commemorating the Treaty of Friendship between Bohol chieftain Datu Sikatuna and Spanish conquistador Miguel L?pez de Legazpi.This 16th Century peace treaty was sealed through a blood compact or "sandugo".
It was a treaty that didn?t last as the Philippines would become a Spanish colony and subsequently bloody revolts were set in motion all over the archipelago. This year, the July blood compact festival is a fitting backdrop to our country?s favourite blood sport and one it?s well known practitioners.
AJ ?Bazooka? Banal?s image was tarnished after he lost to Rafael Concepcion of Panama two years ago. This was a fight held in his hometown of Cebu City, long regarded as the country?s boxing capital. It was held in the Cebu Coliseum, considered as hallowed ground for those who have successfully followed the fight game through the decades. The old building has been graced by the likes of Flash Elorde, Rene Barrientos, Rolando Navarrete, the Penalosa brothers and Manny Pacquiao.
When a nineteen year old undefeated fighter collapses in the endgame despite comfortably leading on points in front of his hometown fans, it attaches a stigma that cuts deep.
Banal has clawed his way back. He has beaten four opponents, three by knockout. He is once again the favourite to win his WBO Asia-Pacific title bout this Saturday against Big Yoo. But he knows the only way he can silence his critics and silence his inner demons is to fight for a world title and this time have a different outcome.
He has learned his lessons but cannot turn the hands of time back to that ill-fated day in July. The fans who ridiculed him also cannot take back what they wrote and said.
Banal (21W-1L-1D, 17 KO?s) will continue to move forward. He is still 21 years old. If we go by the adage that Filipinos mature physically at a later age compared to other races, then the best of AJ Banal is yet to come.
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