It's a mark of how fickle the sport of boxing can be that just two years ago, AJ Banal was considered damaged goods. Perhaps it wasn't that he had lost, but how he lost.
Leading on all scorecards in the 10th round of a scheduled 12-rounder against Raul Concepcion, Banal took a series of right hands that sent him down face first in a neutral corner. Banal wasn't unconscious, however, as he took the 10-count on his knees, resigned in his defeat.
The loss to Concepcion, which was a contest for the interim World Boxing Association (WBA) junior bantamweight title, would move him out of the public's eye. And that might not be a bad thing. At 19, the pressure to be the next breakout prodigy weighed heavily on his shoulders. Now, at 21, time is still on his side.
"
I have put my loss to Concepcion behind me now and I have learned a lot along the way," says Banal (22-1-1, 18 KO) of Cebu City, Philippine
s. "I have matured a great deal. When I was still starting out, I was always eager to put on a good show and knock out my opponents as early as I could. I've learned not to rush things so I do not put myself in a bad position."
On October 30, Banal hopes to put himself in a good position for a second title shot when he faces former two-division world champion Luis Alberto Perez (26-4, 17 KO) of Managua, Nicaragua. The fight will take place at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City, with a catch weight of 120 pounds.
Though the 32-year-old Perez has lost three of his last four fights, the veteran "El Demoledor" (Demolition Man) could be Banal's toughest opponent to date.
It's not the first time Banal has faced top competition though.
Three years ago Banal defeated little-known Mexican Juan Alberto Rosas in his first fight outside of the Philippines. But three months ago Rosas rebounded from that loss to become the International Boxing Federation's (IBF) super flyweight champion, beating Simphiwe Nongqayi of South Africa.
Many of Banal's sparring partners are familiar faces, like fellow ALA Boxing Gym stable mates Michael Domingo and Mark Jason Melligen. It's a new face in the gym that Banal's trainer Edito Villamor believes will take his performance to the next level.
"
We have some adjustment in our training program, physically and mentally," said Villamor, who is being aided by strength and conditioning coach Pio Gerardo Solon.
Solon first worked with Banal in the "Bazooka"'s most recent win, a fifth-round knockout of Korean Big Yoo.
"Things like advanced plyometrics, circuit training regimen and more. Maybe that's what was missing from our training before. AJ is a different fighter from when he was a teenager," added Villamor.
"He's more focused, more dedicated and mature now. He still has the fire n his eyes to become world champion."
Banal's possible re-emergence in world-class territory couldn't have come at a better time, as the promotional company Top Rank Inc. has committed to help ALA Promotions' fighters.
With the support of one of the sport's top promotional organizations, run by ALA president Michael Aldegeuer, Banal suddenly has the ball back in his court.
"I believe if I win this fight, I will be elevated to world-class status," said Banal. – JVP, GMANews.TV
'Mature' Banal ready for Act Two
Originally Posted by ghamvhino
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