Banal Flattens African in two

CEBU, Philippines - The resurgent ALA Stable stalwart AJ "Bazooka" Banal somehow regained the adoration and respect of his Cebuano fans as he scored a smashing second round knockout of former IBO super flyweight champion Mbwana Matumla in the main event of the other night's well-attended "Pagsubok" boxing promotion at the Cebu Coliseum.

It was no less an awesome ring return for Banal in Cebu since his devastating 10th round KO defeat at the hands of Panamian Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion during their WBC interim jr bantamweight title match almost a year ago also at the Coliseum.

Banal, thus, proved he's ready to venture in the big stage anew more so that he is lined up to see action in the undercard of the Floyd Mayweather-Juan Manuel Marquez undercard on July 18 in Las Vegas.

Banal immediately jumped the gun on Matumla, flooring the African visitor in the first round and rattled him with punishing body shots.

In round two, the 20-year-old Banal sent Matumla flat on his back with a powerful left shot. The African "Golden Boy" tried to get up but could not beat the count. The official time was 2:59 of round two, exactly the same time Manny Pacquiao sent Ricky Hatton into the dreamland during their lopsided bout two weeks ago in Las Vegas.

Banal now sports a 19-1-1 win-loss-draw record dotted with 16KOs, while Matumla fell to 18-4-1 (10KOs.)

In the supporting bouts, Czar Amonsot (20-3-1) won by a close unanimous decision over Kenyan super featherweight champion Morris Chule (11-7-2, 8KOs), while reigning WBO Youth lightweight titlist Jason Pagara stopped Indonesian welterweight title-holder Hero Katili in round three.

The rest of the results: Reman Salim scored an eight round TKO win over Larry “Bon Jovi” Canillas,

Marjohn Macahilig needed just 47 second to flatten Francis Lee Cutanda, Rocky Amonsot defeated Evelino Valleser by technical decision, while Samuel Galinato decked Reynante Boctot at 1:26 of round two. – THE FREEMAN