'Kayoed' Banal wins fight Nicaraguan fighter gets disqualified

CEBU, Philippines - It was an unexpected ending to an exciting fight in the main event of Pinoy Pride at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino Saturday night.

Cebuano AJ “Bazooka” Banal was knocked out on the 7th round, but it was his hand that was raised in victory as Nicaragua’s Luis Alberto “El Demolidor” Perez was disqualified for throwing a blow after the referee stepped in to break up the bout.

Banal (22-1, 17KOs) acted as the aggressor in the opening round connecting some hard combinations to the head of the former two-division world champion.

The ALA boy continued to punish Perez (26-5, 17KOs) who wobbled in the third round, but the gritty veteran was not an easy prey as he fought on despite a bloodied nose.

But when it seems that Banal was going to finish him after taking some solid shots after the sixth round, Perez stood his ground and engaged in a brutal exchange of blows that also rocked Banal.

Banal again looked headed to go for the kills in the 7th, but Perez came back with his own barrage that staggered the Cebuano fighter, who was forced to clinch to hang on to dear life.

Referee Ver Abainza stepped in to break the embrace and while Banal was stepping backward, Perez unleashed a vicious right hook that landed to Banal’s temple sending him to the canvass.

The stunned Banal tried to get up, but could not do so forcing the referee to stop the bout.

After several tense minutes, the verdict was announced, Banal won via a disqualification in 1:47 of the 7th.

In the scorecards of the three judges after six rounds of action, banal had the edge over Perez, 59-55, 59-55, and 60-54.

The camp of the Perez, however, said that they would file a protest.

Mario Antonio Garcia Fonseca, Perez’ manager, said that they were robbed of a win and said that they will ask the International Boxing Federation and World Boxing Organization to review the tape of the fight.

“This decision doesn’t work for me” said Fonseca. “He is a good boxer only in five rounds; Banal will never be a world champion.”

For his part, ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer expressed a little disappointment on the outcome, but said that they are open for a rematch that will probably held in the U.S, if Team Perez asks for it.

“The result could have been better for Banal, he gives his all and it could have been a knockout win if not for that incident” said Aldeguer.

In the supporting main event, come backing Mark Jason Melligen (20-2, 13KOs) made a short work against Mexican knockout sensation Bladimir Hernandez (18-4, 16KOs), after an impressive third round TKO.

The pride of Bacolod unleashed a barrage of body shots that dropped Hernandez before referee Teddy Alivio stopped the fight in the closing minute of round three.

Meanwhile, two of ALA Gym’s rising boxing prospects rising Jason Pagara and Larry Canillas suffered contrasting fates in the undercard of ALA Boxing Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports boxing event.

Pagara (24-1, 13KOs) sent Sapapetch Sor Sakaorat (20-7, 11KOs) of Thailand to the canvas three times before winning the fight at 2:24 of the second round, but Toledo knockout sensation Canillas (15-3, 13KOs) learned his lesson the hard way against time tested Ramie Laput (39-4, 17KOs), who won via an eight round unanimous decision. (FREEMAN)