AJ Banal ekes out split-decision victory in first fight under new promoter
FORMER world title challenger AJ “Bazooka” Banal revived his dwindling boxing career by grinding out a split-decision victory against journeyman Jason Egera Saturday night at the Makati Cinema Square in Makati City.
It was the first fight of Banal in two years and the first under new promoter Joven Jimenez, the trainer and promoter of reigning IBF world super flyweight king Jerwin Ancajas.
He now has 35 wins (23 knockouts), two defeats and one draw.
Banal is a former stalwart of the famed ALA Boxing Gym but parted ways with the Cebu-based boxing outfit after his last bout in November 28, 2015 against Tanzanian Emilio Norfat, which he won via third round knockout.
Against Egera (23-19-1), the 28-year-old Banal came out victorious after six rounds with scores of 58-56, 56-58, and 59-55.
Banal was once touted as the next Manny Pacquiao but everything changed when he lost to Rafael Concepcion in 2008 at the Cebu Coliseum for the interim WBA world super flyweight title.
After his loss, ALA Promotions tried to re-ignite his career and earned a world title showdown against Thai Pungluang Sor Singyu for the vacant WBO world bantamweight title in 2012 in Metro Manila.
But he suffered a humiliating technical knockout loss to Sor Singyu, and his career started to dip afterwards.
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