Alex John Banal (born December 28, 1988), more commonly known as A. J. “Bazooka” Banal, is a
Filipino professional
boxer Boxer most commonly refers to:
* Boxer (boxing), a competitor in the sport of boxing
*Boxer (dog), a breed of dog
Boxer or boxers may also refer to:
Animal kingdom
* Boxer crab
* Boxer shrimp, a small group of decapod crustaceans
* Boxer snipe ee ...
. Banal resides in Ermita,
Cebu City,
Cebu, 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 the age of three, Banal joined the ALA team as an amateur, and has been with the organization ever since.
Professional career
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
Mexico. 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
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) is an organization which sanctions professional boxing bouts. It is recognized by the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) as one of the four major world championship groups, alongside the World Boxing ...
Asia Pacific Youth
super flyweight Super flyweight, also referred to as junior bantamweight, is a boxing weight classes, weight class in professional boxing, contested from and up to .
History
The first title match in this division was in 1980, when the World Boxing Council respond ...
title. He then defended his title for the first and last time against
Mexican
Mexican may refer to:
Mexico and its culture
*Being related to, from, or connected to the country of Mexico, in North America
** People
*** Mexicans, inhabitants of the country Mexico and their descendants
*** Mexica, ancient indigenous people ...
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
The International Boxing Federation (IBF) is one of four major organizations recognized by the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) which sanctions professional boxing bouts, alongside the World Boxing Association (WBA), World Boxing Counci ...
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.
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 Coliseum in Cebu City, Banal fought for the
interim
An interim is a period of temporary pause or change in a sequence of events, or a temporary state, and is often applied to transitional political entities.
Interim may also refer to:
Temporary organizational arrangements (general concept)
*Provis ...
WBA super flyweight title. Despite leading in all three judges' scorecards, he lost by knockout to
Panama's
Rafael Concepción
Rafael Concepción (born 24 June 1982) 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 Flyweigh ...
. 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
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'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,
Tagbilaran City,
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.
World title shot
On October 21 Banal loses to Thailand's
Pungluang Sor Singyu
Pungluang Sor Singyu ( th, ผึ้งหลวง ส.สิงห์อยู่, born September 8, 1988) is a Thai professional boxer in the bantamweight division and he is a former two-time World Boxing Organization (WBO) Bantamweight World ...
with the later taking the vacant WBO bantamweight title, with a ninth-round TKO. The fight took place at the
Mall of Asia Arena.
Professional boxing record
{, class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
, -
!No.
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Location
!Notes
, - align=center
, 39
, Win, , 36–2–1, , align=left, Master Suro
, UD
, 10
, 2018-05-13
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 38
, Win, , 35–2–1, , align=left, Jason Egera
, SD
, 6
, 2017-12-16
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 37
, Win, , 34–2–1, , align=left, Emilio Norfat
, TKO
, 3 (10),
, 2015-11-28
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 36
, Win, , 33–2–1, , align=left, Junior Bajawa
, UD
, 8
, 2015-11-28
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 35
, Win, , 32–2–1, , align=left, Maxsaisai Sithsaithong
, UD
, 10
, 2014-11-15
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 34
, Win
, 31-2-1
, align=left, Defry Palulu
, KO
, 2 (10),
, 2014-06-21
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 33
, Win
, 30-2-1
, align=left, Manuel Gonzalez Garcia
, UD
, 10
, 2013-11-30
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 32
, Win
, 29-2-1
, align=left, Abraham Gomez
, RTD
, 2 (10),
, 2013-07-13
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 31
, Loss
, 28-2-1
, align=left,
Pungluang Sor Singyu
Pungluang Sor Singyu ( th, ผึ้งหลวง ส.สิงห์อยู่, born September 8, 1988) is a Thai professional boxer in the bantamweight division and he is a former two-time World Boxing Organization (WBO) Bantamweight World ...
, TKO
, 9 (12),
, 2012-10-20
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 30
, Win
, 28-1-1
, align=left, Ruben Manakane
, UD
, 8
, 2012-07-21
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 29
, Win
, 27-1-1
, align=left, Raul Hidalgo
, TKO
, 1 (12),
, 2012-03-24
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 28
, Win
, 26-1-1
, align=left, Mario Briones
, UD
, 12
, 2011-10-08
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 27
, Win
, 25-1-1
, align=left, Tyson Cave
, TD
, 8 (12),
, 2011-07-30
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 26
, Win
, 24-1-1
, align=left, Francis Miyeyusho
, KO
, 2 (12),
, 2011-03-19
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 25
, Win
, 23-1-1
, align=left,
Luis Alberto Pérez
Luís Alberto Pérez (born April 6, 1978) is a Nicaraguan former professional boxer who competed from 1996 to 2014. He is a former two weight world champion, having held the IBF super flyweight title from 2003 to 2006, and the IBF bantamweight ...
, DQ
, 7 (10),
, 2010-10-30
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 24
, Win
, 22-1-1
, align=left, Hayato Kimura
, KO
, 5 (12),
, 2010-07-17
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 23
, Win
, 21-1-1
, align=left, Cecilio Santos
, KO
, 4 (10),
, 2010-01-14
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 22
, Win
, 20-1-1
, align=left, Jose Angel Beranza
, UD
, 10
, 2009-08-29
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 21
, Win
, 19-1-1
, align=left, Mbwana Matumla
, KO
, 2 (10),
, 2009-05-16
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 20
, Win
, 18-1-1
, align=left, Nouldy Manakane
, KO
, 4 (10),
, 2009-01-31
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 19
, Loss
, 17-1-1
, align=left,
Rafael Concepción
Rafael Concepción (born 24 June 1982) 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 Flyweigh ...
, KO
, 10 (12),
, 2008-07-26
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 18
, Win
, 17-0-1
, align=left, Caril Herrera
, KO
, 4 (12),
, 2008-04-06
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 17
, Win
, 16-0-1
, align=left, Jovanny Soto
, TKO
, 9 (10),
, 2007-12-02
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 16
, Win
, 15-0-1
, align=left, Esau Gaona
, KO
, 1 (10),
, 2007-01-20
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 15
, Win
, 14-0-1
, align=left, Jorge Cardenas
, TKO
, 3 (6),
, 2007-08-11
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 14
, Win
, 13-0-1
, align=left,
Juan Alberto Rosas
Juan Alberto Rosas (born 28 November 1984) is a Mexican professional boxer and the former IBF Super Flyweight champion. Juan Alberto fights out of Navojoa, Sonora, Mexico.
Professional career
IBF Super Flyweight Championship
On July 31, 2010 Ro ...
, UD
, 8
, 2007-05-05
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 13
, Win
, 12-0-1
, align=left, Komrit Lukkuongmuekol
, TKO
, 1 (8),
, 2007-02-24
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 12
, Win
, 11-0-1
, align=left, Terdkiat Jandaeng
, TKO
, 9 (10),
, 2007-01-20
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 11
, Win
, 10-0-1
, align=left, Angky Angkotta
, UD
, 10
, 2006-10-21
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 10
, Win
, 9-0-1
, align=left, Tabthong Tor Buamas
, RTD
, 6 (10),
, 2006-09-23
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 9
, Win
, 8-0-1
, align=left, Ali Rochmad
, KO
, 5 (10),
, 2006-07-22
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 8
, Win
, 7-0-1
, align=left, Jun Pader
, TKO
, 4 (8),
, 2006-07-03
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 7
, Win
, 6-0-1
, align=left, Bangsaen Sithpraprom
, KO
, 2(8),
, 2006-04-30
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 6
, Win
, 5-0-1
, align=left, Dechapol Kokietgym
, KO
, 1 (6)
, 2006-03-18
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 5
, Win
, 4-0-1
, align=left, John Clifford Ranan
, TKO
, 3 (6)
, 2006-02-19
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 4
, Win
, 3-0-1
, align=left, Rodel Veronque
, TKO
, 5 (6)
, 2006-01-15
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 3
, Win
, 2-0-1
, align=left, Rodel Veronque
, UD
, 4
, 2005-11-19
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 2
, Win
, 1-0-1
, align=left, Julius Cabusas
, KO
, 1 (4)
, 2005-09-17
, align=left,
, align=left,
, - align=center
, 1
, style="background:#abcdef;", Draw
, 0-0-1
, align=left, Sonny Saguing
, TD
, 2 (4)
, 2005-06-11
, align=left,
, align=left,
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Banal, AJ
1988 births
Visayan people
Bantamweight boxers
Super-flyweight boxers
Living people
Sportspeople from Cebu City
Boxers from Cebu
Southpaw boxers
Filipino male boxers
People from Bukidnon