Judgement day beckons for the undefeated Cebuano ring sensation AJ “Bazooka” Banal (17-0-1, 14KOs) as he goes up against Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion of Panama (13-21, 6KOs) for the interim World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight championship headlining tonight’s keenly-awaited “Laban na Banal” card at the Cebu Coliseum.
“Even if I have to fight Concepcion to the death fight I will. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for and I will give my best shot to win the world title. I’ll do anything not to lose this fight,” said Banal, who scaled in at exactly 115 pounds during yesterday’s official weigh-in at the SM City-Cebu atrium. Concepcion had to shed off extra poundage for an hour before making the regulatory weight limit.
The 19-year-old Banal, who is aiming to be the third youngest Filipino world boxing champion after Ben Villaflor and Morris East, boldly divulged that he has multiple fightplan for Concepcion, but will unravel it once they’re already in the ring.
“I have studied his style well and I have a lot of plans for him. I have to be extra cautious though because he’s also a strong fighter,” said Banal. “Either of us is going to be knocked out, but it will come in the later rounds. All I ask is the full support and prayers of my fellow Cebuanos for me hurdle this biggest test in my career.”
If triumphant, Banal will become the fourth Pinoy world title-holder at present after Manny Pacquiao (WBC lightweight), Donnie Nietes (WBO minimumweight) and Nonito Donaire, Jr. (IBF/IBO flyweight). Not only that, he is also bound to sign a lucrative contract with Golden Boy Promotions, as indicated earlier by GBP vice president Eric Gomez, if he slaughters the “Little Bull” from Panama.
In the other featured bouts of the triple-championship show, another unbeaten ALA Stable star Milan Melindo (15-0, 4KOs) will tackle Concepcion’s compatriot Carlos Bolivar Melo (28-6, 2KOs) for the WBA Intercontinental light flyweight crown, while RP bantamweight champion Michael Domingo (36-15-2 16KOs) takes on Indonesian Rivo Ringkung (27-6-5, 10KOs) for the WBO Oriental 118-pound diadem.
Brenda Shaylor, a lady ring gladiator from Las Vegas, Nevada who is a registered nurse, hopes to catch part of the spotlight as she slugs it out with with Reynalyn Consejo Jacob of Bacolod City in the lone women’s action.
In the other special attraction, ALA upstart James Bacon will clash with a foreign opponent for the first time in Skak Max of Indonesia.
The rest of the undercards pit Jun Intor versus Roldan Malinao, Robert Allanic against Leonardo Doronio, and Hilario Canillas against Ramil Cabalan.
Presented by ALA Promotions in partnership with Golden Boy Promotioms, ABS-CBN Sports and the city government of Cebu under the leadership of Mayor Tomas R. Osmeña, the explosive four-nation extravaganza will be shown live via satellite through ABS-CBN’s TFC (The Filipino Channel) in the Middle East and in other parts of the globe except for North America.