Sandugo boxing tonight Banal vies for WBO AsPac belt

CEBU, Philippines - ALA Boxing Gym stalwart AJ "Bazooka" Banal takes on another tough test in hid bid to get another world title shot as he battles the Japanese-born Korean toughie Big Yoo in a 12-round rumble for the WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight championship headlining the hotly-anticipated "Sandugo-Labanan ng mga Kampeon" fight card tonight at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex in Tagbilaran City.

Since it is open to the public for free, the organizers of the slambang show expect a record crowd of 30,000-plus to troop to the fight venue and witness another historic moment unfold in the picturesque province of Bohol that is home to a multitude of tourist spots.

More than to make an impression before his hometown fans, Banal hopes to regain his lofty stature as a legitimate world title contender as it was shrouded with doubts following his devastating knockout loss to Panamian Rafael "El Torito" Concepcion in their WBA interim super flyweight title match two years ago at the Cebu Coliseum.

"I've learned a lot from that painful defeat. Now, you will see a different AJ Banal. I'm now more patient in dealing with my opponents and I've worked hard to improve my fight strategy," said the 21-year-old Banal.

True enough, Banal bounced back with fire in his eyes, racking up four straight victories capped by a spectacular fourth round stoppage of Mexico's Cecilio "Boga" Santos last January 14 at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel.

"I'm very excited to fight again in Bohol. I can't promise anything but I assure them that I will give my best not to disappoint my fans," said Banal.

Banal parades a 21-1 win-loss record packed with 17KOs while Big Yoo, a sturdy power-hitter who is known as a ferocious body puncher, carrries a 16-2 slate garnished with 11KOs.

During the press conference the other day at the Island City Mall, Big Yoo was tight-lipped insinuating that he will just let his fists do the talking.

In the equally-explosive supporting bouts, two other ALA Stable mainstays will show their stuff against separate foes. Lightweight prospect Jason Pagara (22-1, 11KOs) will slug it out with Korean Young-Bin Kim (10-1, 7KOs), while super featherweight contender James Bacon (12-1, 8KOs) will tackle Eric Macas in the other 10-round brawl.

As a special feature, interim WBC International featherweight champion Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista will figure in a three-round exhibition bout against OPBF title challenger Fernando Otic.

Staged as part of the annual celebration of the Sandugo Festival, the Bohol fistic extravaganza is presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports in association with the Bohol Sandugo Foundation, Inc. and the city government of Tagbilaran under the flagship of Mayor Dan Neri Lim.

The card will be aired over ABS-CBN at 10:15 am on July 18 and will be replayed on Studio 23 at 10 pm. (FREEMANNEWS)