Bautista knocks out Mendoza

Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista handed Mexico’s Miguel Angel Mendoza his first career loss in a thrilling slugfest at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City Saturday night.

Bautista sent Mendoza down twice in the opening round, continued his assault throughout the next five rounds and finished the Mexican off at the 1:20 mark of the sixth via a vicious left hook.

The knockout improved Bautista’s record to 32-2-0 (win-loss-draw) with 24 knockouts while Mendoza tasted his first loss to drop to 17-1-1. Bautista also successfully defended his IBF international featherweight title.

Before sending Mendoza down, a bizarre incident occured in the fifth round when referee Danrex Tapdasan was shoved by a cornerman of Mendoza.

Tapdasan checked to see if Mendoza wanted to go on after getting severely battered by Bautista but he was rudely shoved with an elbow by the cornerman, who said their fighter would continue.

Because of that, Tapdasan ejected the cornerman out of the ring.

Although it was a sterling performance for Bautista, ALA Boxing Promotions decided to give Bautista more time to further improve his skills before engaging for either a world title shot or a rematch against his tormentor Mexican Daniel Ponce De Leon.

ALA Boxing Promotions president Michael Aldeguer and his father Antonio L. Aldeguer, both agreed that Bautista has to engage in more fights like this before going for a world title shot.

“He is now very patient, very matured, It was not an easy fight for him,” said the younger Aldeguer.  “But there is still a tendency for him to become very vulnerable.  But that is Boom-Boom, we can’t change how he fights but he needs more improvement.”

Aldeguer wants to improve Bautista’s rankings and will head straight for an eliminator bout for a world title. The question remains right now when will Bautista be genuinely ready.

The older Aldeguer was impressed with his prized ward’s performance. “It was a tactical fight. It was very perfect that he tired down the Mexican. For me, he may be ready for a world title fight but he has to improve more in order for him fight better.

For Bautista’s trainer Editho Villamor, the fight plans were executed perfectly. “Nindot kaayo iyahang timing. Patient kaayo siya sa iyahang defense. Amo lang jud i-improve kay ang iyahang balance.”

Although Bautista started strong with two knockouts early in the bout via short left jabs, Mendoza managed to fight back by pounding Bautista with accurate hooks to the head and body.

In the second round, Bautista  was hit by Mendoza’s hooks and uppercuts, which wobbled the Boholano because of the lack of head movements.

“Galisod jud ko aning awaya kay kusog kaayo iyang kumo. Pero naningkamot lang jud ko ug maayo,”  said Bautista.

undercards

Meanwhile, Bacolod City’s Genesis “Azukal” Servania seemed to be the next star of the ALA Gym as he punished the taller undefeated Marcos “Geraldito” Cardenas in a lopsided win in the supporting bout featuring undefeated young prospects.

Outclassed and overwhelmed by Servania’s accurate jabs and hooks, Cardenas of Mexico suffered his first career loss and first career knock-down.

Cardenas’ reach and height advantage was completely neutralized. Servania staggered Cardenas in the second round with a left hook followed by a right uppercut

In the remaining rounds, Servania continued to punish the back paddling Cardenas, who was still being hit by hooks and counter punches. The scores read 98-90, 97-91 and 97-91.

This win is the second straight for Servania against a Mexican opponent.

“Well as you can see, he is the next big thing in boxing, he is a rough diamond, he needs to be developed more to become a champion, I was very happy for him.” said Antonio Aldeguer.

Meanwhile, Cebuano Rocky “The Road Warrior” Fuentes extended his winning streak to 11 by knocking out Thai Lookdiaw “Thor” Tor Buamas in the second round.

New OPBF king

in superlightweight

The pride of Harada Stable of Tagbilaran, Bohol, Romeo “Jako” Jakosalem was also crowned as the new OPBF superlightweight champion as he staged a dominant 12-round win against South Korean Pan Soo Kim.

After his controversial win over Ryan Bongcaoil earlier this year, Roma Rate snatched a unanimous decision win over Randy Gomez in their six-round encounter. Another ALA Gym’s ward Mark Acub overwhelmed Ryan Maano.

Undefeated for three wins, Mark Vincent Bernaldez clinched another impressive win by knocking out Ruben Baldoz in the fourth round at the 1:22 mark. Ralph Lulu and Rodel Wenceslao went home empty handed as they finished their six-round bout with a split draw.

MMA fighter of the Durex Dragons Jonjier Torbiso bowed to Arjan Canillas via a unanimous decision loss.