IT seems Cebuano boxing star AJ “Bazooka” Banal will have to choose which boxing body to vie for a world title.
Reports posted on the internet show that the ALA Gym standout is both illegible to fight for the bantamweight crown either at the IBF or WBO.
One article stated that Banal will be pitted against Vusi Malinga of South Africa for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) bantamweight title vacated by Abner Mares of the U.S.
Malinga beat Banal’s stablemate, Michael Domingo, on points in an IBF eliminator held in South Africa in 2010.
Banal’s other option is the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight title, which is reported to be vacated by champion Jorge Arce of Mexico. Arce is reportedly planning to move up to superbantamweight to fight Filipino Nonito Donaire Jr.
If Banal chooses the WBO route, he will get to fight Thailand’s Pungluang Sor Singyu.
Banal is highly ranked in both the IBF and WBO but as of this writing, ALA Promotions has not yet issued an official statement about their prizefighter’s career path.
The 23-year-old Banal is the reigning WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion./Correspondent Rene Bonsubre Jr.