It's Banal's turn to shine

MANILA, Philippines - With more and more Filipino fighters ascending the global stage, bantamweight A. J. Banal could be the next big thing to emerge from the ring woodwork but ALA Boxing Gym owner Tony Aldeguer said yesterday the 20-year-old “Bazooka” must win convincingly over Mexican veteran Jose Angel Beranza in Honolulu tomorrow (Manila time) to prove he belongs to the new breed of world-beaters.

Banal takes on Beranza in a scheduled 10-round bout at the Blaisdell Arena in the Hawaiian capital. In the main event, IBF lightflyweight titlist Brian Viloria stakes his crown against Mexico’s Jesus (Azul) Iribe. The card, dubbed “Island Assault,” is being produced by Solar Sports and Hawaii concert promoter Tom Moffatt.

“We see a tough fight for A. J. and we’re not taking his opponent lightly,” said Aldeguer whose son Michael is Banal’s registered manager. “He’s been training at the Wild Card Gym since the middle of June with Freddie Roach and Edmundo Villamor. I’m in touch regularly with A. J. and he has assured me of his physical condition. He’s in top shape and ready to go the distance if necessary.”

Banal turned pro in 2005 and was unbeaten in his first 18 bouts until he was stopped by Panama’s Rafael Concepcion on a series of body shots in Cebu last year. Concepcion was recently outpointed by Nonito Donaire Jr. for the interim WBA superflyweight crown in Las Vegas.

Aldeguer said the loss to Concepcion was a wake-up call for Banal who dominated the fight until he ran out of steam.

“Donaire’s win somewhat redeemed A. J. because it proved that Concepcion is no patsy,” continued Aldeguer. “A. J. was handily outpointing Concepcion but was too eager to knock him out that he lost steam trying. Donaire didn’t make the same mistake.”

But Aldeguer said Banal is now a better, more mature fighter.

“The fight against Concepcion made A. J. much wiser,” said Aldeguer. “He has learned not to just go for the knockout all the time, to be patient as knockouts won’t come in every fight and how to pace himself.”

At the Wild Card Gym, Banal sparred mostly with Mexican fighters, sometimes bigger than him. In one of his sessions, Banal floored his Mexican sparmate twice. He also sparred with Rodel Mayol who is set to face WBO lightflyweight champion Ivan Calderon in Puerto Rico in a rematch on Sept. 12. Mayol and Calderon battled to a split sixth round technical draw in their first encounter in New York City last June.

“It’s important that A. J. shows his true potential against Beranza,” said Aldeguer. “If he wins impressively, we plan to expose him to more fights in the US and the Philippines. We hope to engage big names like Fernando Montiel, Vic Darchinyan and Christian Mijares.”

Banal moved up to bantamweight after losing to Concepcion and is now more comfortable in the 118-pound division.

“He’s only 20,” said Aldeguer. “A. J. has all the time in the world. He’s in no hurry but we’ll make sure he’ll get there soon to fight for the world title when he’s ready.”

Since losing to Concepcion, Banal has won two in a row, halting Nouldy Manakane in four and Mbwana Matumla in two. The Hawaii fight is his third US outing after decisioning Juan Alberto Rosas in Las Vegas and stopping Jorge Cardenas in three in Sacramento, both in 2007.

Beranza, 33, took the fight on two weeks notice after original opponent Victor Proa backed out. The 5-4 Mexican has a 32-15-2 record, with 25 KOs, compared to Banal’s 19-1-1, with 16 KOs. Beranza is coming off a win by a six-round decision over previously unbeaten Juan Carlos Velasquez in El Paso last July but had lost six of his last seven.