Banal relinquishes WBO AsPac crown

 August 11 fight in Mandaluyong elevated from interim to regular title

CEBU, Philippines - World Boxing Organization (WBO) No. 1 bantamweight AJ “Bazooka” Banal of the famed ALA Boxing Gym  recently relinquished his WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight title when he officially announced his scheduled fight against Thai WBO No. 2 bantamweight Pungluang Sor Singyu on October 20 at the PLDT MOA Arena in Pasay Cityfor the vacant WBO bantamweight world crown.

As a consequence of Banal's action, the fight between Vincent “Popeye” Palicte (14-3-1, 7 KOs) and Frederix Rodriguez (8-2-1, 6 KOs) on August 11 at Mandaluyong City Gymnasium was recently elevated from being an “interim” to a regular “WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight championship”.

This development was relayed by WBO Asia Pacific President Leon Panoncillo from his office in Bangkok, Thailand. Panoncillo also stated that the winner of the Palicte-Rodriguez contest will be included on the next release of the Top 15 world rankings of the WBO. 

There will be at least 90 rounds of non-stop boxing action featuring top Philippine boxing prospects, which includes undefeated Philippine 140 lb. champ Adones Cabalquinto and Vincent Palicte's brother, Aston, who is also undefeated in nine fights.

A special attraction will be the fight between one the Philippines’ best young prospects in undefeated Joebert Alvarez (10-0-0, 4 KOs) against the hardened veteran in Nelson Llanos for the vacant Luzon Professional Boxing Association (LuzProBa) light flyweight belt.Alvarez is best remembered as the Best Fighter in the boxing reality show “Buhay Boksingero” offered by giant TV network GMA-7.

The fight card is promoted by Joven Sports Promotions owned by the young and hard working Joven Jimenez. Aside from being a promoter himself, Jimenez also juggles his activities in boxing as a manager and trainer at the Top Contender Boxing Gym based in Muntinlupa City. Jimenez is the same person who manages WBO rated No. 2 and IBF rated No. 3 Froilan “The Sniper” Saludar, who is undefeated in 16 fights with 11 wins by knockout.   (FREEMAN)