Bautista vows to give a good show in Pinoy Pride XII

Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista vowed to put an impressive show in front of his kababayans as he looks to extend his winning run against a veteran fighter from Mexico in the 12th installment of the Pinoy Pride series slated March 3 at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex in Tagbilaran City, Bohol.

The Candijay-native Bautista, winner of six straight fights, will face Genaro Garcia (37W-8L, 21 KOs), whose boxing career is spiked by eight fights against eight world champions, including a knockout win against Rafael Marquez in 2000.

“I always feel excited every time I fight in Bohol. I promise to do everything to make my kababayans proud,” said Bautista in the card’s press launching yesterday at the Maya Restaurant in barangay Banilad, Cebu City. The press conference was delayed for an hour due to the 6.8 magnitude quake that jolted several islands in the Visayas.

Bautista (32W-2L, 24 KOs) last fought in Bohol in 2005 where he only needed two rounds to stop Tanzanian Obote Ameme. The 24-year-old boxer is coming off a sixth round knockout win over erstwhile unbeaten Miguel Mendoza of Mexico.

Bautista is looking to keep his streak going to bolster his chances of earning a world title shot.

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said Bautista needs more time to regain his old form.

“With the injuries that he had, he needs more time. We are in no rush. He’s still young and its not about the number of fights that he has to go through before earning a world title fight but its on how he performs in every fight,” said Aldeguer.

Trainer Edito Villamor said Bautista has to improve a few things in his arsenal.

“We’re trying to hone his jab, defense especially his footwork because there are times when he becomes flat-footed on the ring,” said Villamor.

SERVANIA IN THE UNDERCARD

Also looking for an impressive win is the unbeaten Genesis ‘Azukal’ Servania, who will face Nick Otieno of Kenya. Servania (16-0, 5 KOs) is fresh from a scintillating win against the former undefeated Marcos Cardenas.

Otieno (21-7, 9 KOs) is the same boxer who fought the retired Z Gorres in 2008.

Jason ‘El Niño’ Pagara will mark his return on top of the ring against a still undetermined opponent. Pagara was a big disappointment in his last fight when he lost to Rosbel Montoya of Mexico.

The card will also feature Michael Domingo, who will go up against Marvin Tampus.

Aldeguer said the fight will serve as a tune-up fight for Domingo, who is scheduled to face former world champion Joseph Agbeko of Ghana later this year.

The other fights pit Mark Acub of Antique vs. Freddie Martinez of Metro Manila, Juren Labordo of Bacolod City vs. Jessie Dignos of Mandaue City, Jimmy Paypa of Mandaue City vs. Roel Peligro of Butuan City, Rey Morales of Bacolod City vs. Jordan Catubay of Cebu City, and Pedro Balaba of Tagbilaran City vs. Jerome Casas of Cebu City.