Bazooka Banal KO'd in interim world-title match

MANILA, Philippines – AJ “Bazooka" Banal was dealt a stunning defeat after Rafael Concepcion of Panama handed him a jarring 10th-round knockout late Saturday night at the Cebu Coliseum. Banal was ahead most of the time throughout the early rounds but the 19-year-old Cebu-based fighter wore down halfway through. Getting a second wind, Concepcion unleashed a barrage of body punches before sending Banal down to the canvas on successive right straights. Banal failed to beat the 10-count to spark a celebration at Concepcion’s corner. The official time was at the 2:35 mark of the 10th. It was Banal’s first loss after 18 professional fights that include one draw and the third out of four in the last six weeks by a Filipino featured in a world-title fight. Concepcion, the no.7-ranked super-flyweight by the World Boxing Association, thus won the interim WBA super-fly crown. – GMANews.TV