Amonsot, Banal seek comeback in Bohol tiffs

After suffering his first pro loss to Panama’s Rafael Concepcion last July, world-rated superflyweight contender A. J. (Bazooka) Banal returns to the ring against Indonesian champion Nouldi Manakane in Tagbilaran City on Jan. 31 but what fans are more excited about is lightweight Czar Amonsot’s comeback in the undercard.

Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim is hosting the twin comeback fights and guarantees a show as explosive as the card he staged before over 25,000 fans when Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista demolished Oboto Ameme three years ago.

All eyes will be on Amonsot who hasn’t fought since losing a 12-round decision to Australia’s Michael Katsidis in a bloody Las Vegas brawl in July 2007. Amonsot was ordered to rest for over a year when tests showed some traces of blood outside the brain after the Katsidis bout. Later tests revealed no more traces, paving the way for Amonsot’s comeback.

Amonsot, 23, will try to break back into the world ratings and Indonesia’s Zoel Fidal is his stepping stone. Fidal, 25, has a 16-6-2 record, with seven KOs, and has lost three of his last four outings but is considered a dangerous opponent.

Amonsot is itching to re-establish his presence in the lightweight division where Juan Manuel Marquez, Juan Diaz, Joel Casamayor, Joan Guzman, David Diaz, Edwin Valero and of course, Manny Pacquiao are the marquee stars. His record is 18-3-1, with 10 KOs.

Banal, 20, was on the way to a world title shot when his campaign was derailed by Concepcion in a WBA interim championship fight. Now, he wants redemption and Banal vows he won’t be sidetracked again.

“The return of Banal and Amonsot could be a bigger attraction than when we brought in more than 25,000 fans a few years ago,” said Lim. “Both are talented and I’m a believer of their potential. They deserve nothing less.”

Manakane, 25, hasn’t lost in his last six outings and totes a 17-7-1 record, with eight KOs. Four of his losses came in his first five outings and five were inflicted on foreign soil, four in Thailand. A late bloomer, Manakane once lost to Hussein Hussein on a knockout in Australia.

For Banal, this is a make-or-break fight. “Bazooka” was ahead on points when he lost steam and was knocked out on a body shot by Concepcion. Apparently, the poor conditioning was a result of a faulty build-up program where Banal hit the 115-pound limit as early as three weeks before the fight. Now, Banal has learned his lesson and he’s more determined than ever to reclaim his lofty position in the world ratings.

ALA stable president Michael Aldeguer said he’s taking a big risk in pitting Banal against Manakane but it’s a point of no return in the fighter’s career.

“Banal has to be tested if he really has what it takes to make a comeback and if he is really a potential world champion,” said Aldeguer. “Manakane is a perfect test.”

The card is billed “They Are Back” and this early, the indication is a sell-out crowd will pack the Island City Mall car park where the fights are set. Banal and Amonsot are known crowd-pleasers who are expected to go all out against their opponents. Lim’s involvement assures Bohol fans of a quality production because the Mayor is known to leave no stone unturned in organizing projects for his provincemates.