AJ Banal To Face Jose Angel Beranza on August 29
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The original opponent of AJ “Bazooka” Banal on the undercard of the IBF light flyweight title defense of Brian Viloria against Mexico’s Jesus Iribe, on August 29, has been replaced.
ALA Gym patron Tony Aldeguer informed BoxingScene.com, insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that world-rated bantamweight Victor Proa has been replaced by Jose Angel “Pepe” Beranza who has a record of 32-15-2 with 25 knockouts.
There was no word on why Proa was changed but the 33 year old Beranza is coming off a six round unanimous decision over undefeated Puerto Rican Juan Carlos Velasquez (9-0, 5 KO’s) last July 24.
However, prior to the win over Velasquez, Beranza had lost six of his previous seven bouts although they were against talented fighters including Jhonny Gonzalez, the former WBO bantamweight champion who lost his title to Gerry Penalosa as well as Diosdado Gabi who subsequently fought for the world title.
Beranza also has a unanimous decision win over Filipino Vernie TNorres on March 3, 2007.
Banal who has a record of 19-1-1 with 16 knockouts is looking to win big and strengthen his chances of getting a crack at the world bantamweight title.
He had earlier lost by a shocking 10th round knockout to Panama’s Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion in a WBA super flyweight interim title fight at the Cebu Coliseum on July 26, 2008.
Concepcion takes on former IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino” Flash Donaire in a bout for the WBA interim title at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino on Sunday, Manila Time on a fight card titled “Pinoy Power 2.”
