Tagbilaran City, Philippines – In a jam-packed Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex, 35,000 spectators witnessed AJ Banal’s triumph over the seemingly unstoppable Big Yoo of South Korea. Yoo seemed to have the upper hand during the course of the fight, imposing his height and reach advantage over the smaller Banal. Yoo stalked the Filipino prizefighter and landing most of his power shots while Banal struggled in the early round.
Yoo caught Banal with flurries of strong blows in the second round and staggered the latter to the ropes. Banal managed to survive the round with skillful evasion and occasional counter shots. Yoo was soon caught with strong and telling blows to the head and to the body, but the South Korean soldiered on and pressured Banal, especially after Banal got cut in the right side of the head.
At the beginning of the 4th round, Banal became more precise with his punches and soon dishing out punishment that would eventually break down Yoo. The end came at the 1:59 mark in the 5thh round when Banal unleashed a devastating right straight-left uppercut combo that sent Yoo crashing to the canvas and down for the count.
With the win, Banal is now the WBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight champion and elevates to a 22-1-1, 18 KOs. Yoo slides down to 16-3, 11 KOs.
On the main undercard event, Jason Pagara of the Philippines won a TKO victory over the taller Young Bin Kim of South Korea in the 2nd round. Young enjoyed his superior height and reach advantage, as well as his effective inside fighting skills, in the first round.
However, Young got cut in the 2nd round and the injury was serious enough for the ringside doctor to call a halt to the bout. Since the cut was caused by a legal blow and not an accidental headbutt, Pagara was given the victory.
Pagara is now 23-1, 12 KOs while Young’s slate is 11-2, 7 KOs
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