AJ Banal
Born
Alex John Banal

(1988-12-28) December 28, 1988
NationalityPhilippines Filipino
Other namesBazooka, AJ
Statistics
Weight(s)Super Bantamweight
Bantamweight
Super Flyweight
Height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights38
Wins35
Wins by KO23
Losses2
Draws1

Alex John Banal (born December 28, 1988), more commonly known as A. J. “Bazooka” Banal, is a Filipino professional boxer. Banal resides in Ermita, Cebu City, Cebu, where he trains in the city's famed ALA Boxing Gym.

Early life

Banal's interest in boxing began through the inspiration of his uncle, Roselito Campaña, who was also a boxer for the ALA Boxing Gym. At the age of three, Banal joined the ALA team as an amateur, and has been with the organization ever since.

Professional career

Super Flyweight

Banal, aspiring to succeed in the sport, turned pro during the year of 2005. His first opponent being unheralded Sonny Saguing. The bout ended with a technical draw, with Banal suffering a big cut on his eyebrow due to an unintentional headbutt. Banal was very disappointed in the outcome of the fight, and aspired to keep his then undefeated record intact.[1]

Banal underwent a huge change in competition in only his second year as a pro. He faced tougher opposition, compared to the fighters he previously faced at the time, fighting prospects, who like him, were undefeated. Banal had a record of 7–0–1 when he faced undefeated Indonesian prospect Ali Rochmad (13–0), whom Banal easily defeated with a 5th-round knockout (KO).[2] Two months later, he faced undefeated Thai prospect Janesuk King Sports (11–0), who retired from the bout after the sixth round. And just a month after fighting the then undefeated Thai, Banal fought and defeated highly rated Indonesian contender, Angky Angkota, who sported a record of 17–3 before he lost to Banal by unanimous decision (UD).[3]

Super Flyweight Contention

After winning his next five fights, including his U.S. debut, Banal then had a chance to collect his first regional belt, facing Esau Gaona of Mexico. Banal easily defeated the Mexican, winning the bout with a first-round KO with a powerful straight to the jaw, winning the then vacant WBO Asia Pacific Youth super flyweight title.[4] He then defended his title for the first and last time against Mexican Jovanny Soto, whom he defeated with a ninth-round technical knockout.[5]

After the Soto bout, Banal had an opportunity to fight for the mandatory contender spot in an IBF super flyweight title eliminator. On April 6, 2008, in Quezon City, Philippines, Banal fought the then undefeated Caril Herrera of Uruguay (21-0) for this challenge. Banal, not to disappoint, defeated the then undefeated fighter with a fourth-round TKO, earning a shot at the IBF super flyweight title.[6]

First career loss

Although he won a chance for the IBF title, Banal turned down the opportunity in order to fight under another sanctioning body. On July 26, 2008, in the Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City, Banal fought for the interim WBA super flyweight title. Despite leading in all three judges' scorecards, he lost by knockout to Panama's Rafael Concepción. Banal took a right hand to the temple region in Round 10 from Concepción, after being knocked down, he then took a knee throughout the referee's count, marking his first ever defeat in his professional career.[7]

Bantamweight

Following his knockout loss to Concepción, Banal moved up one weight class, to the bantamweight division. On January 31, 2009, in Banal's bantamweight debut, he faced Indonesian Nouldy Manakane, whom he defeated by knockout in just four rounds of action.[8] He then faced Tanzanian Mbwana Matumla, four months later, who he defeated in just two rounds.[9] Following his two knockout wins over Manakane and Matumla, he faced rugged Mexican Jose Angel Beranza in the undercard of Brian Viloria's first title defense of his newly won IBF light flyweight title, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Banal was unable to knockout the always forwarding Mexican, but was able to prevail by UD, with scores of 99–92, 98–92, and 99–91, all in favor of AJ "Bazooka" Banal.[10]

On January 14, 2010, Banal defeated a former 4-time world title challenger in Cecilio Santos of Mexico. Banal, cheered by his hometown fans in Cebu, was hesitant to begin the fight. But in the following two rounds, Banal began to hit his mark. And finally, in the 4th round of the bout, Banal was able to land his dangerous left hook to the temple, followed up with his trademark aggression, eventually sending Santos to the canvas. The Mexican, with all his might just couldn't continue, and was eventually counted out in the 35-second mark of the 4th round, further pushing Banal to hopefully another world title fight.[11]

Banal fought Japan's Big Yoo (16–2; 11 KO) on July 17, 2010, at the Carlos P. Garcia Stadium, Tagbilaran City, Bohol.[12] The Filipino fighter won the bout by KO in the 5th round.

On October 31, 2010, Banal won by disqualification against the veteran Luis Alberto Perez. Banal won the first 6 rounds of the fight until round 7, the veteran Perez came back and give heavy blows that staggers Banal. After the referee break them Perez clinch a punch on Banal and made Banal unable to continue. Banal won by DQ.

World title shot

On October 21 Banal loses to Thailand's Pungluang Sor Singyu with the later taking the vacant WBO bantamweight title, with a ninth-round TKO. The fight took place at the Mall of Asia Arena.[13]

Professional boxing record

39 fights 36 wins 2 losses
By knockout 23 2
By decision 13 0
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
39 Win36–2–1Indonesia Master Suro UD 10 2018-05-13 Philippines SM City North EDSA Skydome , Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
38 Win35–2–1Philippines Jason Egera SD 6 2017-12-16 Philippines Makati Central Square Boxing Arena, Makati, Metro Manila
37 Win34–2–1Tanzania Emilio Norfat TKO 3 (10), 1:41 2015-11-28 Philippines Hoops Dome, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines
36 Win33–2–1Indonesia Junior Bajawa UD 8 2015-11-28 Philippines Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
35 Win32–2–1Thailand Maxsaisai Sithsaithong UD 10 2014-11-15 Philippines Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
34 Win 31-2-1 Indonesia Defry Palulu KO 2 (10), 2:59 2014-06-21 Philippines Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Lahug, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
33 Win 30-2-1 Dominican Republic Manuel Gonzalez Garcia UD 10 2013-11-30 Philippines Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
32 Win 29-2-1 Mexico Abraham Gomez RTD 2 (10), 3:00 2013-07-13 Philippines Solaire Resort & Casino, Parañaque, Metro Manila, Philippines
31 Loss 28-2-1 Thailand Pungluang Sor Singyu TKO 9 (12), 1:45 2012-10-20 Philippines SM Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay, Metro Manila, Philippines For vacant WBO bantamweight title
30 Win 28-1-1 Indonesia Ruben Manakane UD 8 2012-07-21 Philippines Dumaguete City Central School Quadrangle, Dumaguete, Philippines
29 Win 27-1-1 Mexico Raul Hidalgo TKO 1 (12), 2:29 2012-03-24 Philippines Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Lahug, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
28 Win 26-1-1 Mexico Mario Briones UD 12 2011-10-08 Philippines University of St. La Salle Coliseum, Bacolod, Negros Occidental, Philippines
27 Win 25-1-1 Canada Tyson Cave TD 8 (12), 2:32 2011-07-30 Philippines Hoops Dome, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, Philippines
26 Win 24-1-1 Tanzania Francis Miyeyusho KO 2 (12), 2:02 2011-03-19 Philippines Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Lahug, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
25 Win 23-1-1 Nicaragua Luis Alberto Pérez DQ 7 (10), 1:46 2010-10-30 Philippines Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Lahug, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
24 Win 22-1-1 Japan Hayato Kimura KO 5 (12), 1:59 2010-07-17 Philippines Carlos P. Garcia Football Stadium, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines Won vacant WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight title
23 Win 21-1-1 Mexico Cecilio Santos KO 4 (10), 0:35 2010-01-14 Philippines Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Lahug, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
22 Win 20-1-1 Mexico Jose Angel Beranza UD 10 2009-08-29 United States Neal S. Blaisdell Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
21 Win 19-1-1 Tanzania Mbwana Matumla KO 2 (10), 2:23 2009-05-16 Philippines Cebu City Coliseum, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
20 Win 18-1-1 Indonesia Nouldy Manakane KO 4 (10), 1:11 2009-01-31 Philippines Island City Mall Car Park, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
19 Loss 17-1-1 Panama Rafael Concepción KO 10 (12), 2:35 2008-07-26 Philippines Cebu City Coliseum, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines For WBA interim super flyweight title
18 Win 17-0-1 Uruguay Caril Herrera KO 4 (12), 1:18 2008-04-06 Philippines Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila
17 Win 16-0-1 Mexico Jovanny Soto TKO 9 (10), 2:15 2007-12-02 Philippines Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines
16 Win 15-0-1 Mexico Esau Gaona KO 1 (10), 1:08 2007-01-20 Philippines Cebu City Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Lahug, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines Won vacant WBO Asia Pacific Youth super flyweight title
15 Win 14-0-1 Mexico Jorge Cardenas TKO 3 (6), 0:28 2007-08-11 United States Arco Arena, Sacramento, California
14 Win 13-0-1 Mexico Juan Alberto Rosas UD 8 2007-05-05 United States MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
13 Win 12-0-1 Thailand Komrit Lukkuongmuekol TKO 1 (8), 2:11 2007-02-24 Philippines Cebu City Sports Complex, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
12 Win 11-0-1 Thailand Terdkiat Jandaeng TKO 9 (10), 2:58 2007-01-20 Philippines Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex, Centro, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines
11 Win 10-0-1 Indonesia Angky Angkotta UD 10 2006-10-21 Philippines Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex, Centro, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines
10 Win 9-0-1 Thailand Tabthong Tor Buamas RTD 6 (10), 3:00 2006-09-23 Philippines Island City Mall Car Park, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
9 Win 8-0-1 Indonesia Ali Rochmad KO 5 (10), 1:35 2006-07-22 Philippines Island City Mall Car Park, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
8 Win 7-0-1 Philippines Jun Pader TKO 4 (8), 2:56 2006-07-03 Philippines Island City Mall Car Park, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
7 Win 6-0-1 Thailand Bangsaen Sithpraprom KO 2(8), 2:15 2006-04-30 Philippines Island City Mall Car Park, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
6 Win 5-0-1 Thailand Dechapol Kokietgym KO 1 (6) 2006-03-18 Philippines Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex, Centro, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines
5 Win 4-0-1 Philippines John Clifford Ranan TKO 3 (6) 2006-02-19 Philippines Loon Cultural and Sports Center, Loon, Bohol, Philippines
4 Win 3-0-1 Philippines Rodel Veronque TKO 5 (6) 2006-01-15 Philippines Gaisano Country Mall Parking Lot, Banilad, Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
3 Win 2-0-1 Philippines Rodel Veronque UD 4 2005-11-19 Philippines Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex, Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
2 Win 1-0-1 Philippines Julius Cabusas KO 1 (4) 2005-09-17 Philippines Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex, Centro, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines
1 Draw 0-0-1 Philippines Sonny Saguing TD 2 (4) 2005-06-11 Philippines Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex, Centro, Mandaue City, Cebu, Philippines

References

  1. "WHO IS BAZOOKA?". philboxing.com. Archived from the original on 19 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-16.
  2. "BANAL DESTROYS ROCHMAD!". philboxing.com. Retrieved 2006-07-23.
  3. "GORRES, BANAL TOP INDON FOES!". philboxing.com. Archived from the original on 4 November 2006. Retrieved 2006-10-22.
  4. "BANAL RICHLY DESERVES 'BAZOOKA' TAG". philboxing.com. Retrieved 2007-10-03.
  5. "BAUTISTA, BANAL WIN IN PAYBACK!". philboxing.com. Archived from the original on 7 December 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
  6. "PENALOSA DESTROYS VORAPIN; BOOM BOOM, BANAL , MORALES IMPRESSIVE!". philboxing.com. Retrieved 2008-04-06.
  7. "BANAL WILL BOUNCE BACK, SAYS WBO EXEC". philboxing.com. Retrieved 2008-07-28.
  8. "BANAL, AMONSOT IN IMPRESSIVE KNOCKOUT VICTORIES". philboxing.com. Retrieved 2009-02-01.
  9. "BANAL KOs MATUMLA IN 2nd ROUND". philboxing.com. Retrieved 2009-05-17.
  10. "BANAL REPULSES BERANZA, WINS BY UD". philboxing.com. Retrieved 2007-08-30.
  11. "MELINDO OUTLASTS VILLAREAL IN A THRILLER (PLUS OTHER RESULTS AND PHOTOS)". philboxing.com. Archived from the original on 16 January 2010. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
  12. Nathanielsz, Ronnie (July 14, 2010). "AJ Banal-Big Yoo Clash is Exticing Fight Fans in Bohol". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
  13. "AJ Banal loses to Thai Pungluang in world title fight". Inquirer Sports. 2012-10-21. Retrieved 2012-10-21.
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