'Battle of the undefeated' sandugo boxing card; AJ Banal stops Indon champ

TAGBILARAN CITY — Ranged against a similarly unbeaten warrior, ALA Stable stalwart Alex John "AJ" Banal proved beyond doubt he's far superior in strength and in skills than the three-time Indonesian super flyweight champion Ali Rochmad.

Banal knocked down Rochmad three times en route to a workmanlike fifth round TKO win in the main event of the "Battle of the Undefeated" Sandugo boxing card witnessed by an estimated crowd of 10,000-plus that flooded the Island City Mall carpark here on Saturday night.

Like a raging bull, Banal attacked the unsuspecting Rochmad at the onset of their scheduled 10-round rumble. As a result, the pride of Corella, Bohol floored Rochmad twice in the opening round with his vicious right-left combinations, but the Indonesian hang on tough until the bell sounded.

After overcoming that frightening ordeal, Rochmad showed a remarkable recuperative power as he challenged Banal with renewed confidence in the next three rounds.

In the fifth, however, Banal planted a solid left hook to the head that wobbled Rochmad. Smelling blood, Banal followed it up with a left straight and then a right jab to the chin that sent the Indonesian visitor motionless and crashing flat on the canvass.

A glassy-eyed Rochmad can't get up at the count of eight, prompting referee Tony Pesons to wave off the bout at 1:35 mark of round five.

Thus, the 17-year-old Banal kept his unbeaten record intact at 8-0-1 (7KO), while Rochmad tasted the bitterness of defeat for the first time after a sizzling 12-0 (9KOs) start.

"Banal was very impressive because of the quality of his opponent. Rochmad was knocked down twice in the first round, but he recovered and gave Banal a tough fight," said ALA main man Antonio "Bidoy" L. Aldeguer, Banal's chief handler.

"For me, he (Banal) passed his test. We will now bring him to a higher level," added Aldeguer.

Aldeguer hinted Banal might no longer see action here in the country as his ward will now venture into the lucrative US boxing market.

As an initial step to that ambitious bid, Aldeguer said he will be sending Banal to the US on August 6 together with ALA standouts Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista, Czar Amonsot and Z Gorres, who are gearing up for their upcoming US stints.

"We will send Banal to the US this early so he will get accustomed to the US culture. Maybe he will have one fight in the US before the year ends," said Aldeguer.

Back in the Sandugo slugfest, Bautista became an object of delight to his 'paisanos (townmates)' when he flattened Edwin Gastador with a powerful right to the belly in the second of their three-round exhibition match.

Bannered by Banal and Bautista's sterling performances, it was all joy for the Boholano ring gladiators as they completed a clean 8-0 sweep over their respective foes.

Along Denoy, who hails from Candijay, scored a sixth round technical decision win over Alex Guevarra in the supporting main event, while welterweight prospect Mark Jason Melliguen needed just 53 seconds to send Cagayan de Oro's David Pantaras into a nightmarish sleep.

The other Boholano boxers who sprayed the victory champagne were Arnel Tadena by TKO at the end of the first round over Rodel Lamela, Nic Banal by unanimous verdict over Ranie Pamatian and Ricky Sismundo, Lito Jalnaiz and Leon Maratas also by UD over Jun Morano, Charlie Lamela and Esmael Mala, respectively.

ALA Stable mainstay Robert Allanic, on the other hand, squeezed through a seventh round technical decision triumph over the dirty-fighting Danilo Peña, while Mandaue City's Fernando Otik won by TKO at the end of the second round against Villy Bullecer.

The only disappointment among the ALA pugs was Rey Caitom, who lacked flair in fighting to a majority draw with Ruel Lagonero.

Presented by the joint efforts of SGG Sports Promotions of international promoter Sammy Gello-ani, Tagbilaran City government under the dynamic leadership of Mayor Dan Neri Lim and the Island City Mall management, the boxing show served as one of the culminating activities of Bohol's grand and colorful Sandugo festival.

NOTES:WBO AsPac super featherweight champion Czar Amonsot and OPBF super flyweight titlist Z Gorres were present to grace the star-studded evening of fistic action....ABAP-7 director and Tagbilaran City Boxing Team manager Nemesio Monton was on hand to award the trophy to the winner of the Along Denoy-Alex Guevarra battle..VIVA Hotbabes Rene Summers and Louie Anderson sashayed as round girls.