FILIPINO boxer Alex John Banal seemed to be dominating the early rounds of his fight against the Panamanian rival Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion last Saturday in the New Cebu Coliseum.
Banal was the favored fighter in the WBA interim super flyweight title fight, as he showed his counter punching abilities against Concepcion. But as the fight progressed, the Panamanian found the right spot to hit, which led to Banal’s dismal defeat.
AS Recah Trinidad of the Philippine Daily Inquirer puts it, there was a “paralyzing disbelief” when Banal lost his rival in the 10th round.
Trinidad added:
Banal, for sure, must’ve felt like that dumb ship captain who foolishly drove the Titanic against a killer iceberg out there in the ocean—and next woke up to realize it was too late.
Indeed, the Banal fight for the WBA interim super flyweight title opened like a daydream. He had a perfect start, was landing crisp combinations as he followed orders from his corner.
Banal was counterpunching perfectly against the charging Rafael Concepcion who was labeled El Torito or Baby Bull.
August 1st, 2008 at 5:08 pm
Sayang … nawala sa focus at nanghina sa huli. Babawi pa yan.
July 31st, 2008 at 5:56 pm
the corner of AJ lack of proactiveness and coaches to control AJ in the fight. it was very clear that the raging bull of panama has the right plan to demolish AJ by punching repeatedly the side body of AJ and it turn out to be successful.. the gas tank of AJ begins to disappear and the breathe begins to have difficulties gasping air. This is why the punches of AJ in the late round became weak. Thus the bull of panama can literal absorb it. This is the biggest mistake on AJ camp.
July 31st, 2008 at 11:48 am
Menos pa gyod experience, kamo kuno isulod sa ring bi, lalim ba.. Maayo lang mo manaway ba…
July 31st, 2008 at 1:26 am
mga bugo jud ang mga seconds ni aj….
July 30th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
napakahina naman ng seconds ni banal. hindi man lang nasabihan si aj ipitin ang kanan ni concepcion habang magkayakap sila. di ba nila nakita kung paano iniipit ni concepcion ang kanan ni aj habang binabayo ng kanan niya ang kaliwang tagiliran ni aj, na pinababayaan naman nito!! yung pang-uulo ni concepcion, simpleng gamit lang ng kanang braso at konting tulak lang ang panangga ron hindi pa nila nasabi sa boxer nila? isa pa, yung mga pasok ni torito dapat na left uppercut ang isinasalubong ni aj; at halos wala siyang left hand lead straight na ibinabato, madalas kanang jab na hindi naman talaga matutulis. eh kuhang-kuha ni torito yung left jab set up ni aj, alam na alam nya kung paano ika-counter yung isusunod ni aj sa right jab nito. isa pang wala sa suntok ni aj ang short, twisting right hook which could have been effective against a charging, head first, torito!! hay naku, palitan ang mga seconds!