CEBU, Philippines - ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael P. Aldeguer yesterday said they are weighing their options carefully concerning their next career move for AJ "Bazooka" Banal after they received an offer from the International Boxing Federation for Banal to fight South African Vusi Malinga for the IBF bantamweight belt.
The IBF title is currently vacant after Mexican champion Abner Mares surprisingly abdicated his throne instead of defending it to Malinga, the mandatory challenger.
Since the No.2 spot in the IBF rankings is vacant, Banal, being the No.3 contender, automatically earns the right to face Malinga for the crown. The IBF has given both parties 30 days to negotiate.
Aldeguer said he received a letter the other day from IBF Championship Committee chairman Lindsey E. Tucker regarding the world title offer but could not yet decide on the matter as they have prior commitments with the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
"Of course we're looking forward to it (IBF offer) but as of now, I could not make any decision about it," said Aldeguer.
Aldeguer said Banal is presently rated No.1 by the WBO and going up against reigning titlist Jorge "Travieso" Arce of Mexico would be a bigger opportunity for his ward.
"Banal is the No.1 contender in the WBO and we're likely to go after Arce because he's a big name. Fighting him is a big opportunity for Banal," Aldeguer said.
Aldeguer also bared that Arce plans to move up in weight to challenge four-division world champion Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire, Jr. If it happens, Banal's world championship dream would be even brighter.
"We'll see what our options are. We're carefully weighing things up [as to what is best for Banal]," said Aldeguer.
The 23-year-old Banal (26-1-1, 19KOs) is the reigning WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion. He won the title with a smashing fifth round knockout of Hayato Kimura of Japan on July 17, 2010 in Tagbilaran City and defended it three times, the last was by unanimous decision over Mario Briones on October 8 last year at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City.
Banal is on a nine-fight winning streak since absorbing his first and only defeat, so far, via 10th round knockout to Panamiam Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion on July 26, 2008 at the Cebu Coliseum. (FREEMAN)