BANAL IN TOP CONDITION, SPARRING GOING WELL
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 27 Aug 2012
AJ ?Bazooka? Banal (28-1-1, 20 KO?s) is in top condition for his determined bid to win the vacant WBO bantamweight title in a clash with Thailand?s No.2 ranked Pungluang Sor Singyu (42-1, 27 KO?s) at the Mall of Asia Arena on Roxas Boulevard on October 20.
ALA Gym?s head trainer and former world title challenger Edito ?Ala? Villamor told the Manila Standard that aside from being ?in good condition, Banal has looked good in sparring" against such tough fighters as former world rated WBO Oriental champion Michael Domingo who scored a 1st round knockout of Marvin Tampus last March 3.
Tampus is the same fighter from whom Pungluang Sor Singyu won the WBO Oriental title with a 6th round TKO last August 17, 2011.
Banal has also been sparring with former OPBF super bantamweight champion Roli Gasca and lightweight Joseph Von Minoza.
Villamor said Banal who will be guest at the PSA Forum on Tuesday along with Pungluang Sor Singyu will begin sparring with undefeated super bantamweight Mark Bernaldez (6-0, 4 KO's) ?for speed.?
The trainer also said that strength and conditioning coach Pio Solon was ?concentrating on Banal?s power and balance? as he continues his relentless training grind for his second attempt at a world title.
The title clash was made possible after Mexican warrior Jorge Arce relinquished the title to move up to super bantamweight.
Banal has won 11 consecutive fights after his stunning 10th round KO loss to Panama?s Rafael Concepcion when he suddenly faded while leading comfortably on the scorecards of all three judges on July n26, 2008.
The reigning WBO Oriental champion Pungluang Sor Singyu who won from Filipino Marvin Tampus is a sturdy slugger and has a reputation for being a conqueror of Filipinos having beaten 14 of them in his career.
Photo: Banal (L) and Pungluang (R) pose during Monday's presscon in Cebu City.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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