Bautista guns for revenge tonight

Will it be revenge, or repeat?

The answer will be known tonight as the much-anticipated rematch between Boholano Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista and Heriberto “Cuate” Ruiz unfolds at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Both boxers, who are eyeing the IBF International Featherweight title, made the required weight in yesterday’s official weigh-in at the event center of SM City-Cebu.

Bautista weighed 125 and-a-half pounds while Ruiz came in at 126 lb.

Bautista’s chief trainer Edmund Villamor said his ward is ready for battle.

“We are ready if the fight lasts the distance or end early,” said Vilamor. “That’s why we trained Boom-Boom to last for 12 rounds, even though his previous wins ended early.”

Ruiz, who holds a 46-10 (win-loss) record with 28 knockouts, maintained that he will knock Bautista out.

“I felt really great,” he said. “I came here prepared and in good shape.”

Bautista (30-2 with 23 KOs) knows he’s going up against a tough foe.

“He (Ruiz) is a very good fighter. That’s why I am going to keep my guard up and be cautious all the time,” Bautista said.

Both fighters met in 2008 in Las Vegas with Ruiz winning via unanimous decision.

Bautista is expected to wear trunks with black and silver combination and patches of ALA Gym. Ruiz will wear red trunks. Both will be using eight-ounce Cleto Reyes gloves.

Danrex Tapdasan will be the referee of the 12-round fight.

Aside from trying to avenge his loss in 2008, Bautista also has another thing in mind which could serve as motivation.

“This will be a decisive fight for me because if I win, I will do everything to set a rematch against Daniel Ponce De Leon,” Bautista said. De Leon is responsible for handing Bautista his first career loss in 2007.

Meanwhile, Mexican Juan Carlos Gallegos also made weight at 140 lb. His opponent, Cagayan de Oro’s Jason Pagara, weighed in at 139 and 3/4 pounds. Both are fighting in the supporting bout of the event.

The boxing spectacle will also feature two other undercard bouts.

North Cotabato’s Edrin “The Sting” Dapudong faces Indonesian Benja “Rhinoceros” Loemoli while Genesis Servania of Bacolod City takes on Navarette Stable’s Richard Donaire.