ALA seals deal to stage Banal's world title fight

CEBU, Philippines - It’s final.

ALA Boxing Gym stalwart AJ ‘Bazooka’ Banal (28-1, 20KOs) will take on Thailand’s Pungluang Sor Singyu (42-1, 27KOs) for the WBO bantamweight championship in the main event of the ‘Pinoy Pride XVII: Philippines vs. the World’ on October 20 at the Arena of SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City.

After six months of extensive negotiations, ALA Promotions succeeded in convincing OneSongchai Promotions of Thailand to bring the world title fight here on the Philippine soil.

“It was the hardest negotiations we have been through,” said ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer in a news conference yesterday at the Sinulog room of City Sports Club-Cebu. “It took us a lot of effort and time. It is not a one shot deal, but we believe that if we really wanted to make something big for Philippine boxing, then we can’t keep fighting for a world title abroad.”  

“Philippine boxing is here to stay, we want to show the world that we are capable of doing world title fights here,” added Aldeguer.

For the 23-year-old Banal, this is just his first step in making his dream come true.

“I can’t explain the happiness that I am feeling right now. I really thanked ALA Promotions for giving me this opportunity. All I can do now is to train and work hard to get the title,” said Banal, who is riding on an 11-fight winning streak after suffering his first loss to Panamanian Rafael Concepcion four years ago at the Cebu Coliseum.

Banal faces a formidable for in Sor Singyu, who is ranked No. 2 by the WBO. The Thai warrior can be considered as a Filipino executioner having beaten all of his Pinoy challengers including former Philippine super flyweight champion Eden Sonsona and PABA light flyweight titlist Marvin Tampus.  (FREEMAN)