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..
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