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

Manila weigh in: AJ Banal 115 - Jovanny Soto 115

Manila - Pinoy prospect AJ "Bazooka" Banal and his Mexican counterpart Jovanny "Bambino' Soto easily make weight at the superflyweight limit of 115 lbs for WBO Asia Pacific Youth superflyweight title tomorrow.

The Banal-Soto bout is the main undercard of Rey Bautista's comeback fight against Antonio Meza of Mexico.

*image courtesy of Philboxing/Dong Secuya

Fight of the future: AJ Banal vs. Abner Mares

In the epic rivalry between Mexico and Puerto Rico, the fight of Salvador Sanchez vs. Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez, is one of the most anticipated fight in the early 80's. Both of them are arguably the best fighter in their nation.

Gomez dominated 122 division and moved up to 126 to challenge Sanchez, the best featherweight and the WBC 126 champion during that time. The fight was held in a sold out crowd in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

Gomez is an all out aggressor, mostly initiated the war while Sanchez used his technical brilliance and height advantage to box and mix his money punch against Gomez. The fight was very close till Gomez was downed and was stopped by Sanchez in the 8th round.

Back to the present, a rising prospect emerged. Abner Mares from Guadalajara, Mexico is considered the next Salvador Sanchez by the boxing experts due to his fighting style. He fights at Bantamweight division (118lbs) and has an impressive record with 14 wins (9KO) and 0 losses. He is steadily developed under Golden Boy Promotions.

Now enter AJ "Bazooka" Banal (15-0-1-12KOs) who was named from legendary Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez due to his explosiveness in the ring. Banal campaigns at Super-flyweight (116 lbs) is being eyed by the Golden Boy Promotions as a potential talent.

A fight in the future between these two prospects is surely attractive and a must see match up since both them already have a fan base. It will also bring back the memory of the two legendary fighters, Salvador Sanchez and Wilfredo "Bazooka" Gomez.

Below is the video of the classic fight of Sanchez and Gomez.

Ring Magazine Top 10 Superflyweights

Superflyweight (115 lbs) is one of the best divisions in the boxing world in which AJ Banal also campaigns. Here are the list of 10 best Superfly by Ring Magazine (October 29, 2007).

1) MARTIN CASTILLO 32-2 (17)
Mexico













2) ALEXANDER MUNOZ 31-2 (27)
Venezuela - WBA Champion













3) NOBUO NASHIRO 9-1 (5)
Japan














4) CRISTIAN MIJARES 33-3-2 (14)
Mexico - WBC Champion














5) FERNANDO MONTIEL 35-2-1 (26)
Mexico - WBO Champion













6) JORGE ARCE 47-4-1 (36)
Mexico















7) KATSUSHIGE KAWASHIMA 32-6 (21)
Japan









8) DIMITRI KIRILOV 29-3 (9)
Russia - IBF Champion















9) JOSE NAVARRO 26-3 (12)
USA













10) Z GORRES 27-2-1 (15)
Philippines

AJ Banal vs Jovanny Soto in December!!!

After an impressive 1st round TKO win over Gaona last month, AJ "Bazooka" Banal (15-0-1 with 12 KOs) will face tough Mexican Jovanny "Bambino" Soto (25-7-1, with 19 KOs) this December 8 in Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City. The fight will be an undercard for Rey Bautista's comeback fight after suffering his first lost last August 3, against Daniel Ponce Deleon.

Banal - Soto bout was originally scheduled last month but never materialized because the Mexican Boxing Federation did not allow Soto due to his scheduled defense. This fight was said to be an eliminator for WBO 115 champ Fernando Montiel.

AJ Banal stops Gaona in round 1!!!

Pinoy prospect AJ "Bazooka" Banal made a quick sensational route against Essau Gaona of Mexico to win the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Youth super flyweight title. Banal sent Gaona 3 times to the canvass with powerful left straight to the jaw, before the referee have seen enough and stopped the fight.

AJ Banal improved his record to 15-0-1 with 12 KOs, while Gaona dropped to 10-4 with 3 KOs.


Fight Video:





Slow mo replay:

Camargo out, Gaona in!!!!

AJ Banal will have another new opponent on September 30, Essau Gaona (10-3-0, 6 KO) from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico. Genaro Camargo was disqualified due to the violation of the contract (preventing both fighters from fighting the contracted date). Camargo fought last Saturday and was KO'd by Carlos Yanez in the 3rd round.

Yánez destroys Camargo!!!

Mexicali, Baja California - In an action packed main event, Mexican prospect Carlos Yánez stopped Genaro Camargo with a right hook to the liver in the third round of intense action.

Camargo was agressive most of the fight, he was willing to engage brawl . But Yánez found his rhythm and has more confidence on the 3rd round, putting his record to 19-0-17 KO.

Camargo is scheduled to fight against undefeated Pinoy prospect AJ "Bazooka" Banal on September 30 in the Philippines, drops to 14-3 -8 KO.

Camargo vs Yánez promised a hot duel!

Before Genaro Camargo(14-2 -8 KO) faces pinoy prospect AJ Banal, he will fight an undeafeated puncher Carlos Yánez(18-0 -16 KO) in Mexicali, Mexico on September 14.

Carlos Yánez: "I come for title and I am going to take it, I look for a quick knockout"

Genaro Camargo: "I am one hundred percent ready and we will see"

The sold out fight dubbed as "FIRE BLOWS" is a 10 rounder main event battle between these two young warriors at super bantamweight. Promoted by Cazador Promotions and Latin Sports Promotion .

AJ Banal gets new opponent, Genaro Camargo!!!

AJ Banal will now face Mexican Genaro Camargo (14-2-0 8KOs) this coming September 30 in Cebu City. Banal was original booked to fight against Jovanny "Bambino" Soto, but it was later changed because Soto was not allowed by the Mexican Boxing Federation to fight in the Philippines due to his scheduled defense on or before September 28.

AJ Banal will fight Jovanny "Bambino" Soto in September 30!

Promising Pinoy boxing prospect AJ "Bazooka" Banal will return to the ring on September 30 against Mexican Jovanny "Bambino" Soto (25-7-1 20KOs). Soto hails from Guasave, Sinaloa, Mexico, he won all his last 9 fights and 8 of them by stoppage.

The fight will be the supporting bout for the vacant WBO 105 title between Donnie Nietes and Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym of Thailand that will be held in Waterfront Hotel, Cebu City.

What’s next for AJ Banal?: The 3 Thai Prospects

After an astounding performance last week in The World Cup of Boxing, Pinoy prospect AJ Banal should be back to his track which is fighting quality opponents. He was supposed to be fighting against former WBC 108 Champ and veteran Eric Ortiz last week but was changed. He was given a last minute replacement journeyman from Los Mochis, Jorge Cardenas. Still AJ showed what he was expected to be, he never disappoints the fans and gave the first KO victory for the Philippine Team when he “BAZOOKAD” Cardenas in the 3rd round.

What’s next for AJ Banal? I have 3 good quality opponents for him, The 3 Thai Prospects that I have noticed for the past few months.

Devid Lookmahanak - Wins: 16 (9 KOs)| Losses: 1 - Superflyweight
Previously undefeated and Former WBC #1 contender at 115. He was upset and stopped by a Filipino journeyman last August 17, 2007.

Panomroonglek Kratingdaenggym – Wins: 18 (10 KOs) – Flyweight
Undefeated and rated WBC #1 contender at 112.

Maxsaisai Pinsinchai – Wins: 10 (4 KOs)
Undefeated prospect. 8 months inactive, his last fight was on December 1, 2006.

Any of these three is good for AJ Banal in maintaining the quality level of his opponents.

AJ Banal - Jorge Cardenas fight video!!!

This is the full fight video of AJ Banal vs Jorge Cardenas in one of the undercards in World Cup of Boxing in Arco Arena, Sacramento.

Round 1




Round 2




Round 3




This is the slow motion replay of the counter right hook by AJ Banal.

AJ Banal bazookad Cardenas!!!

Sacramento, California - Pinoy boxing prospect AJ Bazooka Banal stopped Jorge Cardenas of Mexico with a well timed counter right hook in round 3. Cardenas bended and hurt his right ankle when he went down to the canvass. He was unable to continue the fight and was moved out in a stretcher.

Banal still undefeated controlled the fight with straight lefts , tactical counters and superior footwork, he now improved to 14 wins and 11 KOs .



(Photo courtesy of Dong Secuya | Philboxing.com)

HEAD TO HEAD: AJ Banal - Jorge Cardenas

Ring experience: Slightly edge for AJ Banal who has 64 fight rounds than 59 fight rounds of Cardenas.

Power: Clearly belongs to AJ Banal with 71% KO to Jorge Cardenas’ 40% KO Ratio.

Level of Competition: Clearly in favor to AJ Banal. His last 6 opponents have a total of 88 wins and just 9 losses. Jorge Cardenas fought low level fighters with a total of 60 wins and 58 losses.

Average rounds per fight: Both has an average of 4.5 rounds per fight.

All departments unanimously in favor to AJ Banal.

Sacremento Weigh-in: Banal 115 - Cardenas 114.8

Sacramento, California - The official weigh in was held at Arden Fair Mall. Both warriors easily made the weight limit of Super-flyweight division (115 lbs). AJ Banal came up at exactly 115 lbs while Cardenas at 114.8 lbs. Their bout will be first fight of the 6 cards in the World Cup of Boxing that will be held in Arco Arena.





(photo courtesy of Dong Secuya|PhilBoxing.com)

AJ Banal will battle new opponent Jorge Cardenas

Pinoy prospect and undefeated AJ "Bazooka" Banal will battle Jorge Cardenas in 6 rounder bout in Boxing World Cup this Saturday in Arco Arena, Sacramento.

Cardenas has a record of 9 wins, 3 losses and 3 draws with 6 KOs, has fought only once in the US and hails from Los Mochis, Mexico like Humberto Soto. He is a natural Bantamweight(118 lbs) fighter and has several fights at Superbatamweight(122 lbs), In his last bout he stopped Trinidad Mendoza in Mexico last May 21.

(photo courtesy of Philboxing.com)

AJ Banal vs Eric Ortiz is off!!!

The latest developments from Sacramento that the bout between promising Pinoy prospect AJ Banal and Mexican Eric Ortiz is off. Banal's stablemate Z Gorres will now fight Ortiz after Guerrero pulled out due to illness. New opponent for AJ Bazooka Banal will be announced soon according to the officials.

In the meantime Bert Batawang vs Gerardo Verde is also off! Verde failed to pass on his medical test due to detached retinas. Boxing World Cup on August 11 is reduced to 6 bouts from originally scheduled 7 bouts.

Will AJ Banal follows the fate of Fernando Vargas?

Fernando "EL Feroz" Vargas was a monster back in the late 90's. He turned pro in 1997 and fought 9 times on that year. On his 15th pro fight he won his first world title the IBF Light Middleweight belt by stopping the dangerous puncher Yory Boy Campas. He defended his belt 5 times beating elite fighters like Ike Quartey and Winky Wright, till he met Felix Trinidad which he was dropped 5 times and was stopped on the 12th round. After the Trinidad fight Vargas was not the same fighter that he used to be. He was KO'd by Oscar Dela Hoya and twice stopped by Shane Mosley. At the very young age of 28 he was already a shot fighter.

“Vargas was a prodigy who turned pro at 19 and fought Tito Trinidad a few days before he turned 23,” said Rudy Salud a founding secretary-general of the WBC quoted in Philstar newspaper. “His body was never allowed to develop because he was rushed into big fights. By the time he fought Trinidad, he had cracks in his body and chinks in his armor. He was 24 when he was knocked out by Oscar de la Hoya." Salud has an advice for the promising pinoy prospect AJ Banal.

“Banal is only 18,” said Salud. “He has looked good against opponents who are not of high caliber. But he shouldn’t be pushed too hard.”

AJ Banal has been fighting in the higher level at the young age of 18। His last 6 opponents has a total of 88 wins and 9 losses, he fought undefeated prospects and dangerous experienced fighters. I hope AJ Banal will be ready and will mature enough once he steps into championship fights.

AJ Banal vs Rodel Veronque fight video!!!

AJ Banal's 4th professional fight and one of his best performance on his career against Rodel Veronque of Cagayan De Oro. It was staged in Gaisano Countrymall Carpark, Cebu City.


Part1

Get video codes at Bolt.



Par2

Get video codes at Bolt.

AJ Banal flies to US today!!!

Promising Pinoy boxing prospect AJ Banal flies to US today. He will report immediately to 2006 US trainer of the year Freddie Roach in his famous sweat shop Wild Card Gym in LA.

With him are fellow stablemates Rey Bautista , Z Gorres, Bert Batawang and their manager. They will take part in one of the most anticipated boxing event this year, The Boxing World Cup (Philippines vs Mexico) that will be held in Sacramento, California this coming August 11, 2007.

AJ Banal will fight Eric Ortiz in World Cup!!!

Pinoy boxing prospect AJ “Bazooka” Banal will fight former WBC Light-Flyweight Champion Eric Ortiz of Mexico in Arco Arena, Sacramento USA as part of Boxing World Cup (Philippines vs Mexico) this coming august 11.

After back to back losses in title fights against Brian Villoria in 2005 and last year against Ulises Solis, Eric Ortiz moves up in weight and now campaigning at 115. He stopped Colombian prospect Jonathan Perez in 11 rounds last June 1, 2007 in Florida, USA.

In the meantime AJ Banal was originally scheduled to fight next month in his hometown in Cebu City has been already in training two weeks after he arrived from his US debut in the undercard of Dela Hoya-Mayweather superfight last May 5.

AJ Banal successful on his US debut!!!

Pinoy prospect AJ Banal won by UD over tough Mexican battle tested Juan Albert Rosas on the undercard of Dela Hoya - Mayweather bout. Scores are 78-73, 78-73 and 76-75, AJ Banal controlled the fight and stalked Rosas on the early rounds with body shots until he was deducted by one point
after a low blow in the 3rd round.

Rosas came back and turn the tide when Aj Banal was cautious to go the body and landed his own shots. But Aj Banal's conditioning and skills with his punishing body shots slowed the tough Mexican fighter on the later rounds.

AJ Banal still undefeated improved to 13 wins (10 KOs), Rosas lost his last 3 fights fall to 25 wins and 3 losses.

*Pics courtesy of Dr. Ed Dela Vega (Philboxing.com)

Vegas Weigh In: AJ Banal 115 - Juan Alberto Rosas 112

Philippine prospect Aj "Bazooka" Banal weigh in at the superfly limit of 115 lbs while Mexican Juan Alberto Rosas came up at 112 lbs. They will fight in a 10 rounder bout in the undercard of the superfight Dela Hoya - Mayweather tommorow May 5, 2007.








Pics courtesy of Dr. Ed Dela Vega (Philboxing.com)

HEAD TO HEAD: Banal - Rosas

*level of competition - Banal

*ring experience - Rosas
*KO ratio - Rosas (88%) Banal (77%)

Rosas cleary has the edge in ring experience almost 3 times more rounds he fought than Banal. The quality of opponents fought belongs to Banal (62 wins, 7 losses last 5 opponents).

Its gonna be high level competition vs experience .

Banal spars with Ivan Calderon

AJ Banal had the opportunity to spar with Puerto Rican WBO 105 champion Ivan "IRON BOY" Calderon inside Wilfredo Gomez Gym. Banal stated that Calderon was always on the run on their sparring session, He tagged Calderon with plenty good shots. Calderon stands 5'0 feet with undefeated record 27-0-0 (6 KOs) is known to be a sweet pure boxer he is like a little version of Floyd Mayweather Jr. without power.

AJ Banal gears up for May 5.

pinoy prospect hard hitting AJ Banal gears up for the biggest fight of his life against Mexican knockout artist Juan Alberto Rosas 25-2-0 packs with 22 KOs.

Banal (12-0-1-10 kos) is in Puerto Rico training alongside Oscar De La Hoya and stablemate Rey Bautista with chief trainer Edito"ALA" Villamor at the WILFREDO GOMEZ GYM.

Banal will fight in untelevise undercard in Dela Hoya-Mayweather bout dubbed "THE WORLD AWAITS" this coming May 5.