Banal retains WBO Asia Pacific title
AJ “Bazooka” Banal defended his WBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight title with a devastating first-round knockout over Mexican Raul “El Bule” Hidalgo in the main event of the Pinoy Pride XIII: Road To Glory last Saturday night at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
Banal connected on a stunning overhand left to the head in the first round that wobbled the Mexican and forced referee Danrex Tapdasan to stop the fight at the 2:29 mark for safety purposes.
Banal improved to 27-1-1 (win-loss-draw) with 20 knockouts while his foe dropped to 16-6 (win-loss) with 12 KOs.
With the victory, Banal remains the no. 1 contender in the WBO 118lbs division.
“Bisan ako wala ko ganahi ing-ato kadali nahuman, malipayon ra man pud nuon ko sa akong kadaugan,” said Banal. “Nindot man gyud kaayo pagka timing ang pagkaigo niya so wala ‘tay mahimo.”
ALA Boxing Promotions chief Michael Aldeguer said he is willing to pit Banal against WBO bantamweight champion Jorge “Travieso” Arce if the latter won’t move up to a heavier weight division.
“We are really looking into a world title fight (for Banal),” he said. “We have been discussing that two months ago, but we are looking also into fighting Arce if he remains in the bantamweight division.
“For now we have other alternatives for AJ. We can give him one more fight if Arce will defend his title because Bob Arum said that Arce will defend his title in the undercard of Pacquiao-Bradley fight on June. So AJ could head to a mandatory bout if that happens. But a world title bout for AJ will definitely happen this year.”
Aldeguer also mentioned that WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel announced that there is a possibility that Arce will go back to 122 pounds. If this happens, the 118-pound title would be vacated.
Another option for Aldeguer is scheduling a mandatory bout against no. 2 Pungluang Sor Singyu (40-1, 26 KOs) of Thailand if the plan to fight Arce will not work.
UNDERCARDS
Meanwhile, the rest of the ALA Boxing Gym bets dominated the undercard of the PP XIII dubbed “Road To Glory.”
Cebuano OPBF flyweight champion Rocky “The Road Warrior” Fuentes stopped 21-year-old Javier “El Chivero” Franco of Mexico with a fifth-round knockout.
Albert “Prince” Pagara became the hottest young prospect in Philippine boxing after knocking out Thai Phupha Por Nobnum at the 2:38 mark of the second round.
Nobnum passed out for a minute and was also assisted by medical personnel at ringside before recovering.
In his much-anticipated comeback, Bacolod’s “El Matador” Arthur Villanueva won via unanimous decision against Cordillera Mountains’ Rey Migreno in an action-packed eight-round showdown.
Villanueva returned to the ring after a yearlong hiatus due to a severe hand injury.
Mandaue City’s Roma Rate won against Jade Yagahon. Arjan Canillas also won over Ranie Pamatian via technical knockout.
Jojo “Flash” Intor won against Alejandro Marapao via unanimous decision while Crispin Parba won by split decision over Belmar Quinones in the opening bout.
