Mexican Mendoza vows to stop Bautista in 6 rounds

Talking confidently without sounding cocky, Mexican fighter Miguel Angel Mendoza vowed to knock Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista out when they tangle in the main event of Pinoy Pride 10 on Saturday at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.

“I came to Cebu to fight and I will deliver a knockout. I am going to knock him out in six rounds,” said Mendoza during yesterday’s press briefing at Maya Restaurant.

Bautista, who will defend his IBF International featherweight title, may have built a reputation as one of the most-feared fighters in his division but it isn’t enough to scare Mendoza.

“My fight against Bautista may be hard but I am not considering it as my toughest one. I am planning to bring the IBF belt back to Mexico that’s why I want to win this fight,” said Mendoza.

A look at his fight record would suggest that Mendoza’s fighting remarks isn’t just pure hot air.

Mendoza, who trains under Knockout Gym in Guadalajara, Mexico, is undefeated in 18 fights with all of his 17 victories coming by way of knockout.

PREPARED AND READY

While he is gunning for an abbreviated victory, Mendoza said he is ready for a long night.

“We came here prepared and expected everything to come our way. Even when he was still in Mexico, I can see that he is totally prepared,” said Mendoza’s trainer  Rodrigo Pedroso Mendrona.

Mendrano said Mendoza has completed close to a hundred sparring sessions against quality partners.

To make the fight more exciting, Bautista (31W-2L, 23 KO’s), has reportedly appealed to Mendoza not to run inside the ring.

The visiting boxer insists that he too is looking forward to a brawl.

Mendoza said he is aware that Bautista isn’t just an ordinary boxer.

“Boom-Boom is a complete fighter. He may have power but I hit harder and I love his style because he keeps coming forward. I hope he will not run away from me,” said Mendoza, who is in his fifth fight this year.

Mendoza was in fighting mood throughout the gathering but showed his lighter side when he asked if he could shake the hands of the media people who graced the affair, something that wasn’t done by visiting boxers in the past.

“I am honored to come here in Cebu. I would like to thank ALA Promotions for bringing me here and give me a chance to fight a Filipino boxer like Bautista,” said Mendoza.