The wedding could take place before the year ends, said WBO No. 1 bantamweight contender A. J. Banal who candidly admitted he has two children with long-time partner Junbeth. It will depend on how he fares against Thailand’s No. 2 contender Pungluang Sor Singyu in their battle for the vacant WBO 118-pound throne at the MOA Arena on Oct. 20.
No question, the Banals are in love. Their first-born Alexeth Jean is now two years old. And early this year came their second daughter Alex Beth. But they’re not rushing marriage. That’s because Banal wants to assure his widowed mother Marlinda, who is half-paralyzed from a stroke two years ago, and his siblings he won’t shirk from his responsibility of taking care of them.
Banal, 23, lives with Junbeth, their two daughters, his mother and two brothers Arnold, 30, and Carlos, 20, in a four-bedroom, two-level house in the Ermita district of Cebu. His father Hipolito died of a lung disease in 2006. His mother is unable to walk straight because of a stroke and Banal said her motor skills are only at 40 percent capacity. Arnold works for a power company while Carlos is looking for employment after finishing a course in care-giving.
Banal, the fourth of eight children, paid for Carlos’ education and is putting another brother Hipolito, Jr, 14, through high school. Hipolito, Jr. is an amateur boxer and stays in the Aldeguers’ gym in Cebu. Another brother Nicolas, an electrical engineer, used to box and now sidelines as a boxing referee. To add to the family income, Banal has a motorcycle that he uses to buy and sell fish in the market.
* * *
Banal’s dream is to someday own a house and lot. That dream may be realized sooner than he thinks. He doesn’t know how much his purse is for the Pungluang fight or what his reward is for winning the WBO crown. Banal leaves all of that up to the Aldeguers. His relationship with his managers – Tony (ALA) Aldeguer and son Michael – is based on trust. “Sir ALA told me we’ll talk about my prize after the fight,” he said. “Whatever it is, I’m going all out to win the world title. This is my chance. I once fought for the interim WBA superflyweight title and lost. I’ve learned from that mistake. It won’t happen again.”
Banal said he can’t wait to join the cast of Filipino fighters now wearing world title belts. The roster lists WBO lightflyweight champion Donnie Nietes, IBF lightflyweight champion Johnriel Casimero, WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria and IBF/WBO superbantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. Manny Pacquiao lost the WBO welterweight crown to Timothy Bradley in controversial fashion last May.
“I still consider Manny to be a world champion because he didn’t deserve to lose to Bradley,” said Banal. “I’m dedicating my fight to him, my late father, my mother, my wife, our daughters, Sir ALA and Sir Michael.”
Banal said he’s comfortable fighting at 118 and doesn’t expect to move up to the next division until one or two years from now. “I’m not thinking beyond my fight against Pungluang,” he said. “When I win the title, I plan to make several defenses against the top contenders. I’ll fight anyone, anywhere in the world. If there’s a chance to unify the bantamweight championship, I’ll go for it but that’s not in the plans at the moment. Eventually, I’ll move up to superbantamweight but that won’t be soon.”
* * *
Banal said he has a lot of surprises for Pungluang. “My trainer (Edmund Villamor) has taught me new things in the gym,” he said. “We’ve worked on new techniques in offense and defense. That’s our secret. All I can reveal is I’m confident of scoring a knockout with one punch. I like to set up my left hook with a jab. But sometimes, combinations don’t carry too much power. I prefer landing one solid shot where I can throw all my power behind it.”
What makes Banal confident of his chances against :Pungluang is he has faced much tougher opposition and passed the test against high-caliber fighters. “I’m not afraid of him,” said Banal. “Whom has he fought? I’ve fought some of the world’s best like Luis Alberto Perez and Juan Alberto Rosas. If there’s anyone who should be afraid, it’s him. I’ve worked on my stamina. I’ll be ready for Pungluang on Oct. 20. When I hit him, he’s going down.”
Pungluang, 24, has logged 43 fights compared to Banal’s 30 even if they’re only a year apart in age. Pungluang’s manager Michel Do said before turning pro, he figured in about 20 Muay Thai bouts. Clearly, the Thai is long in experience but short in quality of opposition. Banal has fought foreigners exclusively in his last 22 fights. His last Filipino opponent was Jun Pader who capitulated in four in Tagbilaran in 2006. Dating back to last year, Banal has victimized Tanzania’s Francis Miyeyusho, Canada’s Tyson Cave, Mexico’s Mario Briones and Raul Hidalgo and Indonesia’s Ruben Manekane. In contrast, Pungluang’s last six opponents were all Filipinos – Ricardo Roa, Rey Migreno, Elmar Francisco, Danilo Peña, Nathan Bolcio and Marvin Tampus.
Pungluang has a 42-1 record, with 27 KOs, while Banal’s mark is 28-1-1, with 20 KOs. Banal has trounced his five Thai opponents so far. Pungluang has beaten 15 Filipino foes in 16 fights with Francisco losing twice. Pungluang said Banal will be his next Filipino victim. Banal promised he will be the first Filipino to beat the Thai. One of them will eat his words.