Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista returns to the ring for the first time since his controversial win over Mexican Heriberto Ruiz four months ago, as he headlines Pinoy Pride X on Dec. 10 at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
Last June 11, Bautista scored a technical decision win over Ruiz when their bout was stopped in the 7th round due to a clash of heads that resulted in an ugly gash on the head of the 25-year-old Bautista.
The decision did not sit well with some fans who booed after it was announced while some even pelted Bautista with plastic bottles.
But with the strong support of ALA Boxing Promotions and his fellow stablemates, Bautista vowed to prove to everyone that he is better than what they think.
And he intends to do that by defending his IBF International Featherweight title against a still unnamed opponent, fully aware that an emphatic win will pave the way for another shot at the world crown or a possible fight with the dangerous Orlando Salido next year. Bautista is currently ranked No. 5 by the IBF.
DE LEON REMATCH
Meanwhile, Bautista’s dream of a rematch against Daniel Ponce de Leon may still stay that way as ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer wants his ward to be really prepared against the Mexican if a rematch will indeed be held.
“It may not happen yet because we still have to measure where Boom-Boom is right now and we have to make a good plan before we decide for that rematch,” said Aldeguer during yesterday’s PPX press launching at the Cebu Grand Hotel.
Ponce de Leon inflicted Bautista’s first professional loss in 2007 during the Boxing World Cup.
Recently, Bautista underwent an operation for an ingrown muscle in his toenail, citing it as the reason why he was out of boxing for a long time.
“Para nako, dili lalim ang kinabuhi sa usa ka boksidor, mao nang maningkamot ko ani nga away para mo asenso pa ko ug maayo unya makab-ot pud nako akong pangandoy nga mapareha sa akong kauban nga si Donnie Nietes” said Bautista, referring to his stablemate who recently won his second world title in the Pinoy Pride 9 in Bacolod City.
“Mag hulat lang jud ko kung kanus-a ihatag ni sir Michael (Aldeguer) and rematch namo ni De Leon, ako lang jud nang pangandaman,” added Bautista.
Fighting in the PP10 undercard will be reigning OPBF flyweight champion Rocky “The Road Warrior” Fuentes who successfully defended his title in Osaka, Japan against Hirofumi Mukai last August.
Bacolod’s pride, Genesis “Azukal” Servania will battle Venezuelan Rafael Hernandez for 10 rounds in the super bantamweight division.
The 20-year-old Servania beat veteran Gerson Guerrero last September in the Pinoy Pride 8 undercard.
Romeo “Jako” Jakosalem will also see action as he vies for the vacant OPBF super lightweight title against Korean Pan Soo Kim.
Also, Roma Rate returns to the ring after his controversial win over Ryan Bongcawil last September along with four other undercard bouts.
FIRST PPV VENTURE A SUCCESS
ALA Promotions’s initial venture into pay-per-view got very encouraging results said Aldeguer.
“We do not have the numbers yet, but initial reports indicate that the PPV sales for Pinoy Pride IX is very high,” said Aldeguer.
The fight featured the WBO lightflyweight championship bout of Nietes and Mexican Ramon Garcia in Bacolod.
“In fact, PPV sales for Pinoy Pride IX did better in Cebu than the Mayweather-Ortiz fight,” added Aldeguer.