BANAL CRACKS TOP 10 OF RING MAG'S BANTAMWEIGHT RANKINGS
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 25 Jul 2012
Bantamweight contender AJ 'Bazooka' Banal enters the top ten of Ring Magazine's latest weekly ranking (link) in the bantamweight division and marking the first time the Cebuano knockout artist joins the prestigious list. Another Cebuano, former world champion Malcolm Tu?acao, stays at No. 6 in the division where he has been ranked in the top 10 the past 76 weeks.
Ranked No. 1 is Panama's Anselmo Moreno, the current WBA champion, followed at No. 2 by Ghana's Joseph Agbeko; WBC champion Shinsuke Yamanak of Japan is listed at No. 3 followed by Koki Kameda, also of Japan; Puerto Rico's Eric Morel follow suit at No. 5; Tu?acao, No. 6; IBF champion Leo Sta Cruz of Mexico at No. 7; Jorge Arce, also of Mexico, at No. 8 and Hugo Ruiz, also of Mexico at No. 9.
Banal, who has racked up 11 consecutive victories after he lost to Panama's Rafael Concepcion in 2008, gets into the rankings after the Ring dropped Vic Darchinyan who has lost his two last fights. Banal may nudge higher if Arce, who is set to battle Nonito Donaire one division higher, leaves the bantamweight division entirely.
Banal, ranked No. 1 by the WBO, is set to contest the vacant WBO bantamweight title against WBO number two ranked Pungluang Sor Singyu of Thailand. Banal is also rated No. 7 by the WBC and No. 11 by the IBF.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Luisito “Lindol” Espinosa and the Art of Playing Boxing
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 11 Nov 2025Island Time: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight World Title Unification Showdown Set For January 31 at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan
Tue, 11 Nov 2025Kyle Lowry becomes the 12th player with 20 seasons or more in the NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 11 Nov 2025Donaire awaits WBA decision
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 10 Nov 2025Joel “lethal” Lewis inks Managerial deal with Dragon Fire Boxing
Mon, 10 Nov 2025Meet Jayr Raquinel: The Filipino Sensation Taking the Super Flyweight Division by Storm
By Carlos Costa, Mon, 10 Nov 2025NONITO DONAIRE HOPES TO BECOME TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Astrobio loses by TKO in 7th round
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025UNDEFEATED KNOCKOUT MONSTER VERGIL ORTIZ JR. DESTROYS ERICKSON LUBIN IN SECOND-ROUND
Sun, 09 Nov 2025Manny Pacquiao Arrives in LA to Oversee Son Jimuel's Highly Anticipated Pro Debut
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Robert Racasa Shines for the Philippines on First Day of World Memory Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 09 Nov 2025P20k for 42k winners in 3rd SDSPPO
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 09 Nov 2025Weights Set for Tomorrow’s Sanman Boxing Show in General Santos City
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz vs. Erickson Lubin: Can Lubin Tip the Ortiz/Ennis Apple Cart?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Gibbons’ ‘Thrilla’ regrets
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025