Lapu-lapu City — One of them will definitely fall.
This was the bold prediction made by noted ALA Gym trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor regarding tomorrow night’s much anticipated battle between his ward Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista (31W-2L, 23 KOs) and unbeaten Mexican Miguel Angel Mendoza (17W-0L-1D, 17 KOs) in the main event of the Pinoy Pride 10 at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
The card’s protagonists met yesterday at the EGI City by Sea Hotel Resort where saber-rattling was the order of the day.
“Both are power punchers and fans should expect a great fight. We have adjustments prepared for Boom-Boom,” said Villamor. “What we saw in Mendoza’s fight videos may be different on fight night. They may change and adjust his wild punches.”
Bautista for his part looked ready to face his Mexican foe who earlier declared that the Boholano fighter won’t last six rounds.
“Maybe he won’t even reach the sixth. We’ll see on the day of the fight but this will not be my hardest fight,” Bautista, who will defend of his IBF International featherweight title for the first time, retorted.
Both boxers pack power in their punches with Mendoza sporting a higher KO percentage.
ALA Promotions CEO Michael Aldeguer said that this fight will determine if Bautista is ready for another world title shot or a rematch against Daniel Ponce de Leon.
“We are in constant communication with the De Leon camp, negotiation for the rematch is ongoing,” added Aldeguer.
TITLE SHOT NEXT YEAR
IBF fight supervisor Ray Wheatley said Bautista is in a good position to challenge for a world title next year against Billy Dib.
“Bautista is in a good position for a world title shot. He is ranked No. 5 in the IBF. The top two positions are vacant and there are only two boxers ranked above him. He could fight for an eliminator next year.”
In the supporting main event, Mexican Marcos “Geraldito” Cardenas (19W-0L-1D, 9 KOs) will face unbeaten prospect Genesis “Asukal” Servania (15W-0L, 5 KOs) of Bacolod City. This will be Cardenas’ first fight outside of Mexico.
Servania scored a one-sided unanimous decision win against Mexican Gerson Guerrero last September.
OPBF Flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes (29W-6L-2D, 17 KOs) of Cebu City will fight former WBC Silver lt.flywieght champion Lookdiaw Tor Bumas of Thailand in an eight-round non-title bout. Fuentes is gunning for a convincing win to earn a possible title challenge.
Bumas bared that his real record is 22W-4 L, 8 KOs and not just nine bouts recorded in boxrec.
In a fight that could steal the show from the main event, Philippine lt.welterweight champion Romeo Jakosalem will face South Korean lt.welterweight champion Pan Soo Kim (11W-2L-1D, 7 KOs) for the vacant OPBF Light welterweight crown. Jakosalem (15W-4L-1D, 8 KOs) has had a terrific year, beating erstwhile undefeated Canadian prospect Steve Claggett (TKO 8) and winning the Philippine title against Eusebio Baluarte (TKO 1).
The card’s five more bouts pit Roma Rate vs. Randy Gomez (6 rds), Mark Acub vs. Ryan Maano (6 rds), Mark Vincent Bernaldez vs. Ruben Baldoz (4 rds), Ralph Lulu vs. Rodel Wenceslao (6 rds) and Arjan Canillas vs. Johnjier Torbiso (4 rds).
Official weigh-in will ber held today at 11 a.m. at the Pacific Mall in Mandaue City.