AJ Banal vs Rafael Concepcion for WBA belt!

Philippine's best prospect AJ Banal will fight for the vacant WBA Superflyweight belt against Rafael Concepcion of Panama. The WBA Superflyweight belt became vacant when Mijares was elevated to Super Champion after his unification win against Alexander Muñoz.



Rafael Conception a southpaw, has record of 10-2 with 6 KOs. He avenged his two losses in a spectacular stoppage. He stopped Jean Piero Perez (12-2-0) in the 3rd after getting dropped twice in the second round last March 27, 2008.

Banal-Conception title fight will on June 21, 2008 in Cebu City, Philippines.

AJ Banal stops Caril Herrera in four!

AJ Banal scored a fourth round stoppage against Caril Herrera of Uruguay on their IBF Eliminator fight. AJ Banal landed a counter left to the jaw that makes Herrera out on feet, the referee steps in and stop the fight before Banal could follow up a barrage of heavy punches.

It was an entertaining fight. Both fighters trading shots in the middle of ring. At the end of the exchange, Banal's power and his smart tactical fight made the difference. As the round progress AJ Banal clearly dominates Herrera by mixing his aggression with counter punches.






*Image courtesy of Dong Secuya/Philboxing.com

AJ Banal - Caril Herrera weigh in

Manila - Pinoy prospect AJ Banal(16-0 13KOs) and Uruguay's Caril Herrera (21-0 13KOs) both weigh in at exactly 115 lbs for their IBF #1 eliminator fight tomorrow in Araneta Coliseum.

AJ Banal is considered the pinoy best prospect by boxing experts, will have the toughest fight on his career when he step up the ring against Caril Herrera, a straight forward all out brawler. Fight fans should expect fireworks, its gonna be quick and entertaining fight.

*image courtesy of Philboxing.com/Dr. Ed dela Vega

Banal-Herrera bout rescheduled to April 6

After some conflicts in boxing schedules and promotions, the anticipated fight between Pinoy boxing prospect AJ "Bazooka" Banal and Uruguay's popular prospect Caril "El Raton" Herrera will be moved to April 6.


The fight will be an undercard of Gerry Peñalosa's first title defense of his WBO 118 lbs belt against old foe Sor Vorapin of Thailand. It will take place in Araneta Coliseum and will be televised by ABS-CBN Sports.

*Random thoughts
I've read in the internet that the Banal-Herrera fight will be an IBF eliminator. I don't really understand why this an eliminator fight, Darchinyan / Gorres has the right to fight IBF Superfly champ Kirilov of Russia.

Battle of the undefeated 3: AJ Banal vs Caril Herrera

AJ Banal will face top rated WBC #5 Superfly and WBC Latino Superfly champ, Caril "El Raton" Herrera of Montevideo, Uruguay according to a reliable source. Herrera also a southpaw has undefeated record of 21-0-0 with 13 KO's will be the third undefeated prospect that AJ Banal will face. First it was Ali Rochmad (13-0-0), then Sing Carryboy (11-0-0) both of them didn't reach to the final bell. This bout will be an undercard of Gerry Peñalosa's (52-6-2) first title defense of his WBO bantamweight belt against Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (48-9-2) this March 2, 2oo8 in Araneta Coliseum, Manila.

AJ Banal breaks top 10 rankings

After an impressive year last 2007, 6 total fights with 5 brutal KOs, Banal’s hard work paid off. The latest rankings in all boxing governing bodies show AJ Banal breaks 10 rankings except for WBC.



WBA
Alexander Munoz
1.Martín Castillo
2. Nobou Nashiro
3. Vic Darchinyan
4. Kohei Kono
5. Duangpetch Saengmorakot
6. Alex John Banal
7.Katsushige Kawashima
8. Caril Herrera
9. Timor Shailezov
10. Pramunsak Posuwa


IBF
Dimitri Kirilov
1 Not Rated
2 Not Rated
3 Martin Castillo
4 Pramunsak Posuwan
5 Vic Darchinian
6 Z. Gorres
7 Jorge Arce
8 Jose Navarro
9 Diosado Gabi
10 Alex John Banal


WBO
Fernando Montiel
1 Pramansak Phosawan
2 Z Gorres
3 Martin Castillo
4 Kahramon Arzykulov
5 Diosado Gabi
6 Vic Darchinyan
7 Juan Mercedes
8 Alex John Banal
9 Raul Martinez
10 Marat Mazimbaev


*image courtesy of Philboxing.com

Banal KO's Soto in nine!

AJ Banal patiently waiting for openings unleashed a well-timed counter right hook that sent Jovanny Soto to the canvas in round 9. Soto was able to beat the 10 count, but Banal continued his non-stop assault to the defenseless Mexican warrior that forced the referee to halt the fight.

AJ Banal controlled the entire fight using his superior speed and footwork. In the early rounds Banal punished Soto with straight lefts to the center before mixing with bodyshots and crisp hooks.

Banal still undefeated, improved to 16-0-1 with 13 KOs, while Soto dropped to 25-8-2.

Banal - Soto - round 9