Dumaguete City —AJ “Bazooka” Banal won via unanimous decision against Ruben Manakane of Indonesia in a fight card dubbed “One last time before the big time” at the Dumaguete City quadrangle Saturday night.
All three judges scored the eight-round fight 80-70 for Banal. This fight is considered a lead up to Banal fighting for the vacant WBO bantamweight world title.
Manakane started slow as he used the entire area in the ring to stay away from the power-punching Banal in the first two rounds.
Banal, the reigning WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion, caught up with the Indonesian in the third and knocked him down twice with his powerful left straight.
But the Indonesian managed to hang on despite being staggered in the subsequent rounds.
Banal also knocked out Ruben’s brother Nouldy Manakane in four rounds three years ago in Bohol.
Banal’s only other fight this year was a first-round TKO over Raul Hidalgo of Mexico last March.
Meanwhile, in the fights under the ALA-Cobra energy Drink “TUNAY NA LAKAS” boxing series, Joseph Von Miñoza stopped RJ Ano-os in the sixth round.
Melvin Gumban won by TKO against Aroel Romasasa in four rounds. Roma Rate also won via majority decision over Lyndel Radoc after eight rounds.
Reymund Tabogon beat Lito Dante by split decision while Pedro Balaba used an overhand right to knockout Cristian Saga in the third round.
Rey Morales also knocked down Ian Teves with a right hook in the first and second rounds. Referee Tony Pesons stopped it at 1:18 of the second. Rolando Lingao-lingao had a successful pro debut, beating Steven Recaborda via unanimous decision.
The fights were supervised by GAB-Cebu.