AJ BANAL BATTLES MANAKANE IN "ONE LAST TIME BEFORE THE BIG TIME"
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 20 Jul 2012
DUMAGUETE CITY - WBO number one contender AJ "Bazooka" Banal will face Ruben Manakane of Indonesia this Saturday July 21 in a non-title contest at the Dumaguete City Quadrangle. Banal ((27W-1L-1D, 20 KO?s), who is the reigning WBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight champion, is waiting for a shot at the vacant WBO world bantamweight title against the WBO number two contender Pungluang Sor Singyu (42W-1L, 27KOs) of Thailand. ALA Promotions is negotiating to bring this fight to the Philippines.
Banal weighed in at 124 lbs while Manakane stepped in at 122 lbs during the official weigh-in held today at the Robinson's Place. They will fight for eight rounds. Boxing fans in this city are in for a treat because this fight is offered free to the public.
Manakane (7W-7L, 5 KO's) will have vengeance and Banal's ranking as his motivation for this fight. His brother, Nouldy Manakane, was knocked out by Banal in four rounds three years ago in Tagbilaran City. Another brother, Sonny Manakane, is also a prizefighter.The WBO bantamweight title has been vacated by Jorge Arce of Mexico, who is eyeing a megabout against WBO/IBF superbantamweight champion Nonito Donaire.
Also set to battle in this card are the boxers for the ALA-Cobra Energy Drink "Tunay na Lakas" Boxing Series. Joseph Von Mi?o (135 3/4 lbs) will face RJ Ano-os (135 1/2 lbs) in a ten round non-title contest. Both Mi?oza (13W-3L, 5 KO's) and Ano-os (7W-3L-1D, 2 KO's) will try to return to the win column after suffering losses in Japan.
Penned to fight in the undercards are Melvin Gumban (116 lbs) vs Aroel Romasasa (117 1/2 lbs) - 10 rounds, Roma Rate (111 3/4 lbs) vs Lyndel Radoc (110 lbs) - 8 rounds, Reymund Tabogon (113 lbs) vs Lito Dante (112 3/4 lbs) - 6 rounds, Pedro Balaba (119 lbs) vs Cristian Saga (117 lbs) - 6 rounds, Rey Morales (113 3/4 lbs) vs Ian Teves (110 lbs) - 4 rounds and Rolando Lingao-lingao (109 3/4 lbs) vs Steven Recaborda (113 lbs) - 4 rounds.
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