Alex John Banal
Encyclopedia
Alex John Banal more commonly known as A.J. Banal, is a Filipino
professional boxer
. Banal currently resides in Ermita, Cebu City
, Cebu
, where he trains in the city's famed ALA Boxing Gym.
Banal underwent a huge change in competition in only his second year as a pro. He faced tougher opposition, compared to the fighters he previously faced at the time, fighting prospects, who like him, were undefeated. Banal had a record of 7-0-1 when he faced undefeated Indonesian prospect Ali Rochmad (13-0), whom Banal easily defeated with a 5th round knockout (KO). Two months later, he faced undefeated Thai prospect Janesuk King Sports (11-0), who retired from the bout after the sixth round. And just a month after fighting the then undefeated Thai, Banal fought and defeated highly rated Indonesian contender, Angky Angkota, who sported a record of 17-3 before he lost to Banal by unanimous decision (UD).
. Banal easily defeated the Mexican, winning the bout with a first round KO with a powerful straight to the jaw, winning the then vacant WBO Asia Pacific Youth super flyweight
title. He then defended his title for the first and last time against Mexican Jovanny Soto, whom he defeated with a ninth round technical knockout.
After the Soto bout, Banal had an opportunity to fight for the mandatory contender spot in an IBF
super flyweight title eliminator. On April 6, 2008, in Quezon City
, Philippines, Banal fought the then undefeated Caril Herrera of Uruguay
(21-0) for this challenge. Banal, not to disappoint, defeated the then undefeated fighter with a fourth round TKO, earning a shot at the IBF super flyweight title.
in Cebu City, Banal fought for the interim
WBA
super flyweight title. Despite leading in all three judges' scorecards, he lost by knockout to Panama
's Rafael Concepción
. Banal took a right hand to the temple region in Round 10 from Concepción, after being knocked down, he then took a knee throughout the referee's count, marking his first ever defeat in his professional career.
division. On January 31, 2009, in Banal's bantamweight debut, he faced Indonesian Nouldy Manakane, whom he defeated by knockout in just four rounds of action. He then faced Tanzanian Mbwana Matumla, four months later, who he defeated in just two rounds. Following his two knockout wins over Manakane and Matumla, he faced rugged Mexican Jose Angel Beranza in the undercard of Brian Viloria
's first title defense of his newly won IBF light flyweight
title, in Honolulu, Hawaii
. Banal was unable to knockout the always forwarding Mexican, but was able to prevail by UD, with scores of 99-92, 98-92, and 99-91, all in favor of AJ "Bazooka" Banal.
On January 14, 2010, Banal defeated a former 4-time world title challenger in Cecilio Santos of Mexico. Banal, cheered by his hometown fans in Cebu, was hesitant to begin the fight. But in the following two rounds, Banal began to hit his mark. And finally, in the 4th round of the bout, Banal was able to land his dangerous left hook to the temple, followed up with his trademark aggression, eventually sending Santos to the canvas. The Mexican, with all his might just couldn't continue, and was eventually counted out in the 35-second mark of the 4th round, further pushing Banal to hopefully another world title fight.
Banal fought Japan's Big Yoo (16-2; 11 KO) on July 17, 2010 at the Carlos P. Garcia Stadium, Tagbiliaran, Bohol. The Filipino fighter won the bout by KO in the 5th round.
On October 31, 2010, Banal won by disqualification against the veteran Luis Alberto Perez. Banal won the first 6 rounds of the fight until round 7, the veteran Perez came back and give heavy blows that staggers Banal. After the referee break them Perez clinch a punch on Banal and made Banal unable to continue. Banal won by DQ.
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
professional boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
. Banal currently resides in Ermita, Cebu City
Cebu City
The City of Cebu is the capital city of Cebu and is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was...
, Cebu
Cebu
Cebu is a province in the Philippines, consisting of Cebu Island and 167 surrounding islands. It is located to the east of Negros, to the west of Leyte and Bohol islands...
, where he trains in the city's famed ALA Boxing Gym.
Early life
Banal's interest in boxing began through the inspiration of his uncle, Roselito Campaña, who was also a boxer for the ALA Boxing Gym. At a very young age of three, Banal joined the ALA team as an amateur, and has been with the organization ever since.Super Flyweight
Banal, aspiring to succeed in the sport, turned pro during the year of 2005. His first opponent being unheralded Sonny Saguing. The bout ended with a technical draw, with Banal suffering a big cut on his eyebrow due to an unintentional headbutt. Banal was very disappointed in the outcome of the fight, and aspired to keep his then undefeated record intact.Banal underwent a huge change in competition in only his second year as a pro. He faced tougher opposition, compared to the fighters he previously faced at the time, fighting prospects, who like him, were undefeated. Banal had a record of 7-0-1 when he faced undefeated Indonesian prospect Ali Rochmad (13-0), whom Banal easily defeated with a 5th round knockout (KO). Two months later, he faced undefeated Thai prospect Janesuk King Sports (11-0), who retired from the bout after the sixth round. And just a month after fighting the then undefeated Thai, Banal fought and defeated highly rated Indonesian contender, Angky Angkota, who sported a record of 17-3 before he lost to Banal by unanimous decision (UD).
Super Flyweight Contention
After winning his next five fights, including his U.S. debut, Banal then had a chance to collect his first regional belt, facing Esau Gaona of MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Banal easily defeated the Mexican, winning the bout with a first round KO with a powerful straight to the jaw, winning the then vacant WBO Asia Pacific Youth super flyweight
Super flyweight
Super flyweight is a weight division in professional boxing. It is alternatively referred to as junior bantamweight and light bantamweight...
title. He then defended his title for the first and last time against Mexican Jovanny Soto, whom he defeated with a ninth round technical knockout.
After the Soto bout, Banal had an opportunity to fight for the mandatory contender spot in an IBF
IBF
IBF may refer to:*International Boxing Federation is one of several boxing organisations* International Bandy Federation former name of Federation of International Bandy , an international governing body for bandy...
super flyweight title eliminator. On April 6, 2008, in Quezon City
Quezon City
Quezon City is the former capital and the most populous city in the Philippines. Located on the island of Luzon, Quezon City is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila, the National Capital Region. The city was named after Manuel L...
, Philippines, Banal fought the then undefeated Caril Herrera of Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
(21-0) for this challenge. Banal, not to disappoint, defeated the then undefeated fighter with a fourth round TKO, earning a shot at the IBF super flyweight title.
First career loss
Although he won a chance for the IBF title, Banal turned down the opportunity in order to fight under another sanctioning body. On July 26, 2008, in the Cebu ColiseumCebu Coliseum
Cebu Coliseum is found at the Queen City of the South, Cebu City, Philippines. It is home of 6 sports, Dancesport at Waterfront Hotel, Pencak Silat at Cebu Coliseum, Karatedo and Judo at Mandaue Coliseum, Sepak Takraw at University of San Carlos, the oldest university in the Visayan Region, and...
in Cebu City, Banal fought for the interim
Interim championship
An interim championship is a temporary world championship that is awarded in all four major sanctioning bodies of professional boxing and in other combat sports, such as kickboxing and mixed martial arts.The IBF have no Interim Champions...
WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
super flyweight title. Despite leading in all three judges' scorecards, he lost by knockout to Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
's Rafael Concepción
Rafael Concepción
Rafael Concepción is a boxer from the Republic of Panama, nicknamed "El Torito". He has a record of 13 wins, 4 losses and 1 draw.He fought A. J. "Bazooka" Banal of the Philippines for the WBA interim Super Flyweight Title on July 26, 2008 which he came out the victor. Though trailing in points,...
. Banal took a right hand to the temple region in Round 10 from Concepción, after being knocked down, he then took a knee throughout the referee's count, marking his first ever defeat in his professional career.
Bantamweight
Following his knockout loss to Concepción, Banal moved up one weight class, to the bantamweightBantamweight
Bantamweight is usually a class in boxing for boxers who weigh above 115 pounds and up to 118 pounds . However, in Mixed Martial Arts it is 134-136 pounds . Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight...
division. On January 31, 2009, in Banal's bantamweight debut, he faced Indonesian Nouldy Manakane, whom he defeated by knockout in just four rounds of action. He then faced Tanzanian Mbwana Matumla, four months later, who he defeated in just two rounds. Following his two knockout wins over Manakane and Matumla, he faced rugged Mexican Jose Angel Beranza in the undercard of Brian Viloria
Brian Viloria
Brian Viloria is a Filipino-American professional boxer He is the reigning WBO Flyweight champion. He also won the WBC Light Flyweight and IBF Junior Flyweight titles...
's first title defense of his newly won IBF light flyweight
Light flyweight
- Professional boxing :The weight limit at light flyweight in professional boxing is 108 pounds . When New York legalized boxing in 1920, the law stipulated a "junior flyweight" class, with a weight limit of 99 pounds. When the National Boxing Association was formed in 1921, it also recognized this...
title, in Honolulu, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. Banal was unable to knockout the always forwarding Mexican, but was able to prevail by UD, with scores of 99-92, 98-92, and 99-91, all in favor of AJ "Bazooka" Banal.
On January 14, 2010, Banal defeated a former 4-time world title challenger in Cecilio Santos of Mexico. Banal, cheered by his hometown fans in Cebu, was hesitant to begin the fight. But in the following two rounds, Banal began to hit his mark. And finally, in the 4th round of the bout, Banal was able to land his dangerous left hook to the temple, followed up with his trademark aggression, eventually sending Santos to the canvas. The Mexican, with all his might just couldn't continue, and was eventually counted out in the 35-second mark of the 4th round, further pushing Banal to hopefully another world title fight.
Banal fought Japan's Big Yoo (16-2; 11 KO) on July 17, 2010 at the Carlos P. Garcia Stadium, Tagbiliaran, Bohol. The Filipino fighter won the bout by KO in the 5th round.
On October 31, 2010, Banal won by disqualification against the veteran Luis Alberto Perez. Banal won the first 6 rounds of the fight until round 7, the veteran Perez came back and give heavy blows that staggers Banal. After the referee break them Perez clinch a punch on Banal and made Banal unable to continue. Banal won by DQ.