Banal, Allanic stop foes in Tagbilaran boxing tilt

TAGBILARAN CITY – ALA Stable standouts AJ Banal and Robert Allanic lived up to their lofty billing as the future stars of Philippine boxing as they hammered out spectacular wins via stoppage over their Thai foes in the double main event of the "Stars of the Future" fight card on Sunday night at the Island City Mall carpark here.

Banal, a three-time National Youth gold medallist and two-time Palaro champion in his amateur days, scored a dazzling one-punch knockout of Bangsaen Sithpraprom in the second round, while Allanic floored Saensak Singmanassak thrice en route to a fine TKO victory in round seven.

The Corella, Bohol-native Banal landed a powerful left straight to the chin that instantly sent Bangsaen into a nightmarish sleep at the 2:15 mark of the second round.

So devastating the punch was that theThai warrior laid prostrate on the canvass for almost three minutes before being held on to his corner by his trainer.

"He's (Banal) amazing. He has all the skills plus power. As young as he is, he's ready for the bigtime," said World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo, who witnessed the exciting fisticuffs.

"It's nice to see a fighter like him. He's a total package. He will be a world champion for a long time someday," added Panoncillo.

The 17-year-old Banal is elated with the kind words and praises he got from some boxing pundits who believed in his potentials to become a champion in the future.

"I'm very happy that some people believed that I will become a champion someday. This will serve as an encouragement for me to work harder and live up to their expectations," said Banal, who improved his clean record to 6-0-1, now dotted with 5KOs.

In the co-feature of the slambang show put up by the city government of Tagbilaran headed by Mayor Dan Neri Lim in cooperation with SGG Sports Promotions, Solar Sports, and Island City Mall, Allanic also left the large throng of Boholano spectators in awe.

Allanic dominated the first four rounds until Singmassak showed some fighting spirit in the fifth frame where he locked himself up in an intense exchange of blows with the ALA fighter.

That turned out to be Singmanassak's brightest showing as Allanic planted a solid left shot to the body that sent the Thai down on both knees late in the sixth round. Singmanassak quickly got up only to be flattened anew by Allanic with telling head blows.

Singmanassak was saved by the bell, but Allanic let loose another collection of punches capped by a wicked right overhand to the head that decked the Thai for the third time, prompting referee Teddy Alivio to wave off the bout at 1:19 of the seventh round.

In the other featured bouts, ALA Boy Rey Caitom and Milan Melindo of SGG Stable both won by unanimous verdict over Roldan Malinao and Amirro Ricablanca, respectively, while Rex Malibago knocked out Daryl Amoncio at 1:21 of the first round.

The rest of the matches saw ALA Boys Frank Albia and Rasheed Bacus beating Brix "Bomb" Ray and Argie Marapo by UD, and 23rd SEA Games silver medallist Mark Jason Melliguen making his pro debut a memorable one as he recorded the shortest bout of the night by stopping Rolan Malunhao in just 41 seconds.

Lito Jalnaiz of ALA Stable and Jessie Albarracin fought for a highly-questionable majority draw, while the fight between Rogen Flores and Rey Taguibalos was declared a technical draw at 2:35 of the second round as Flores sustained a nasty cut below his left eye caused by an accidental headbutt that rendered him unfit to continue fighting.

NOTES:The solid night of fistic action was graced by Miss Tagbilaran 2006 Margo Adelaez Manigque. The rest of those who joined the annual pageant sashayed as roundgirls. Aside from watching the event for free, those who were at the ringside were given free bottled mineral water, softdrinks in can, and chiffon cakes in a rare show of generosity by the organizers spearheaded by Mayor Lim. Boxing patron Antonio "Bidoy" L. Aldeguer and international promoter Sammy Gello-ani of SGG Sports Promotions were honored with plaques of appreciation by the Tagbilaran City Council for their all-out support to the Boholano boxers both in the amateur and pro ranks.