Bautista-Mendoza fight tonight at Hoops Dome
Filipino Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista and his Mexican rival Miguel Angel Mendoza hurdled the final obstacle to their much anticipated battle after both made the required weight yesterday during official weigh-in of the Pinoy Pride X which unravels tonight at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
Bautista will defend his IBF International Featherweight crown against the unbeaten Mendoza. Both tipped the scales at 126 lbs during weigh-in held at the packed Pacific Mall in Mandaue City.
After the traditional stare down, both boxers shook hands.
“Kani ugma away jud ni ug sakto kay andam na kaayo ko, kung unsay pwede ma apply atong i-apply walay daganay, basta akong sulti ninyong tanan naa jud matumba namong duha,” said Bautista (31W-2L 23KOs) who also revealed his excitement over tonight’s 12 round fight.
However, Bautista’s trainer Edito Villamor said that they will try not to mix it up with the hard hitting Mendoza ((17W-0L-1D 17KOs) who is targeting to knockout Bautista within six rounds.
“Dili mi mosagol pero ready mi for 12 rounds, akong tan-aw ani naa jud matumba ani nilang duha so gwapo jud ning awaya,” said Villamor.
Meanwhile, Genesis “Azukal” Servania of Bacolod City weighed 122.5 lbs paving the way for his non-title bout against Mexican Marcos “Geraldito” Cardenas (122 lbs) who like him is also unbeaten.
Cardenas (19W-0L-1D 9KOs) enjoys a slight height advantage over Servania but the latter said he is not a bit worried as early this year he also beat a taller Gerson Guerrero who once challenged for a world title.
ALA Boxing Promotions is setting a loaded schedule for Servania next year including an OPBF title bout. And a win tonight over Cardenas will validate the hype surrounding the Bacolod native.
Meanwhile, OPBF flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes was one pound over the weight limit of 122 lbs after tipping the scales at 113 lbs but was allowed to fight since his battle with Thai Lookdiaw “Thor” Tor Buamas (111 lbs) is a non-title bout.
Philippine Lightwelterweight champion Romeo “Jako” Jakosalem has no trouble making weight after tipping the scales at 138 lbs yesterday. He will face Korean Pan Soo Kim who came in at 139.75 lbs. for the vacant OPBF junior welterweight title.
Mandaue City’s Roma Rate weighed 107 lbs. He will fight Randy Gomez (109 lbs) for six rounds. Mark Acub weighed 130.5 lbs while his foe Ryan Maano came in at 130 lbs.
Other undercard bouts pit Mark Vincent Bernaldez (122 lbs) vs. Ruben Baldoz (119 lbs) for four rounds; Ralph Lulu (125.5 lbs) vs. Rodel Wenceslao (126 lbs) and Arjan Canillas (126 lbs) vs. MMA fighter Johnjier Torbiso (125 lbs) for four rounds.
