SOR SINGYU SHOCKS BANAL AND THE PHILIPPINES
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 21 Oct 2012
PASAY CITY ? The dressing room of Team Philippines had a funeral atmosphere. AJ Banal was inconsolable. ALA Promotions CEO Michael Aldeguer was by his side trying to find the words to comfort his prized fighter. His stablemates were also holding back their tears. Rey Bautista's face was full of welts from his battle with Daniel Ruiz. Banal's wife was crying with him.
Just less than an hour earlier, the crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena were anticipating his coronation as the new WBO bantamweight world champion. Pungluang Sor Singyu of Thailand had limited skills. His level of competition was several below that of Banal. It was true that Pungluang beat a lot of Filipinos, but they were not the best this country had to offer.
The southpaw from Ermita, Cebu City and the famous ALA Gym started the fight being warned for low blows. He was also the sharper fighter, his jab was on target and he repeatedly hurt Pungluang with his right uppercut and quick lefts to the body and head.
But the Thai had two things going for him ? a strong chin and a heart bigger than the Asian continent.
He took the best that Banal had to offer and he continued to plod forward and throw bombs. Banal was cut on the right eyelid at the end of the third. But he continued to box beautifully and tag Pungluang in the subsequent rounds. Banal however, was deducted a point in the sixth for another low blow.
Top photo: Banal struggles to stand after he was sent to the canvas by Pungluang Sor Singyu in the fateful 9th round.
The Thais celebrate after Sor Singyu wins by TKO in the 9th round over Banal.
Nonito Donaire Jr (R) and ALA President Michael Aldeguer (L) comfort the grieving AJ Banal (C) after the fight.
Photos by Dong Secuya.
Past the half way mark, Sor Singyu continued to press the action. He tried to make the fight into a brawl, pin Banal on the ropes as they traded low blows.Punglang zeroed in on Banal's cut like a hyena attacking a carcass in the African savanah.
In the 9th, Banal got cornered and was thrown out of the ring. He got up and but was caught by a hard right and was caught by more hard hooks. Banal went down and got up obviously still dazed and turned as Referee Tony Weeks was counting. Weeks waived it off at the 1:45 mark.
Pungluang's corner celebrated as their boxer was awarded the WBO champion belt.
After 8 rounds, Judge Robert Hoyle had Banal ahead 77-74 while Levi Martinez and Raul Caiz,Jr had Pungluang ahead by a point, 75-76 due to Banal's earlier deduction.
?In between rounds, I stopped the bleeding of Banal's cut but it kept bleeding because Pungluang kept hitting it and the cut got wider.? cutman Dr. Ed de la Vega told this writer after the bout.
The bones surrounding AJ's eye socket served as the chopping board and Pungluang's gloves were deadly meat cleavers.
The air was thick with loss and uncertainty when WBO superbantamweight champ Nonito Donaire entered. He gave Banal's team mates some words of advice and consoled the fallen fighter. He told Banal he should learn from this experience.
What happens now?
Banal is one the four top franchise boxers of the ALA Gym, Bautista earlier escaped with a split decision win against Ruiz. Banal's past critics will obviously make a comeback.
ALA Promotions have experienced disappointments before ? Banal losing to Rafael Concepcion, Bautista losing to Daniel Ponce de Leon and Heriberto Ruiz, Z Gorres losing a close one to Fernando Montiel and having to undergo brain surgery after winning against Luis Melendez. The company has managed to bounce back. But the timing of this loss; just when they were riding the crest of an unprecedented wave of popularity, will surely have repercussions.
Fans and sportswriters will have to wait and see while they sort out the situation. They said AJ did his best. I sincerely believe that he did. We can only hope this loss will not permanently damage his psyche.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Herlan Gomez, Jason Moloney Make Weight for WBC Australasia Bantamweight Battle in Australia
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 05 Dec 2025OLYMPIC BOXING 5: 1928 OLYMPICS AT AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 05 Dec 2025MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 05 Dec 2025Class of 2026 Announced in Canastota
Fri, 05 Dec 2025Thailand’s Niyomtrong “Knockout CPF” Decisions Junior Zárate, Becomes World Champion Again
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 05 Dec 2025WORLD RANKED FILIPINO BOXERS AS OF DECEMBER 2025 BY THE RING, WBC, WBA, IBF, AND WBO
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 05 Dec 2025Shinard Bunch Takes on John Paul Magalong on Tuesday, January 13th at The UFC Gym North Brunswick in North Brunswick, NJ
Fri, 05 Dec 2025Severino and Mendoza win Blitz Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 05 Dec 2025Herlan Gomez Departs for Australia for Moloney Fight Saturday on DAZN
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 04 Dec 2025KENNETH LLOVER DEFENDS OPBF TITLE IN FOURTH FIGHT OF 2025
Thu, 04 Dec 2025Canoy, Mama, Into Contend in IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Dubai
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 04 Dec 2025CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH 2: REMATCH SEASON FULL FIGHT CARD SET
Thu, 04 Dec 2025MERRY FISTMAS! World-Ranked KO Artist Ramon Cardenas Faces Erik Robles in ProBoxTV Main Event at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Thursday, December 18
Thu, 04 Dec 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 2 DECEMBER 2025: Kavaliauskas Wins by Split Decision Over Molina; Whittaker Stops Gavazi in 1; Malajika Wins by UD Over Paras
By Eric Armit, Wed, 03 Dec 2025WBC Strips Terence Crawford of Super Middle Title
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 03 Dec 2025