BAUTISTA WORLD TITLE FIGHT TO HEADLINE WORLD CUP
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 10 May 2007
Michael Aldeguer, son of respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer who is slowly taking over the mantle of his father in the sport said yesterday that Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista’s mandatory title fight with WBO super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon will headline the World Cup between the Philippines and Mexico later this year.
Aldeguer told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that after the title eliminator in which Bautista scored an impressive unanimous decision over previously undefeated Sergio Medina on the undercard of the Oscar De La Hoya – Floyd Mayweather Jr mega fight in Las Vegas last May 6 “we had discussions with Golden Boy and they felt that his next fight is going to be for the world championship against Ponce De Leon.”
At the same time Aldeguer who returned from Las Vegas along with his wife Cristine, well-known promoter Sammy Gello-ani, Bautista and AJ “Bazooka” Banal revealed that the World Cup “will be here in the Philippines.” He said “we just have to iron out things with Oscar De La Hoya who is sure to come to the Philippines to promote the fight” which will take place either in late August or early September.
Aldeguer said Bautista had to show “what he can really do against a very tough opponent Sergio Medina. Bautista had to prove to the world what he’s made of.” Aldeguer said Banal fought a very, very tough opponent in the young career of the 18 year old and it was “one of his toughest fights.” Aldeguer said Banal’s fight was a “turning point in his career” and the Las Vegas fights on one of the biggest events ever was a “very good experience for both of them.”
Bautista revealed that his title fight against Ponce De Leon will be held in Manila and it was imperative that he wins so that “Filipino fans will be happy.” At the same time Bautista thanked his supporters even though he said he “knew they were nervous during the fight” especially when he was groggy and given a standing eight count in the seventh round which he said was a blessing and helped him recover.
Outstanding Filipino trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor admitted he too was scared during the seventh round but at the start of the eighth when he “looked into Boom Boom’s eyes they were okay and I knew then, there was no problem.”
Banal admitted that he failed to adjust to the conditions in Puerto Rico and the US and “didn’t sleep well but despite the hard time we still won.” Banal said he had “no strength in his body and no power” in the last two rounds of his eight round clash with Juan Alberto Rosas of Mexico who had 22 knockouts in 25 wins with just two defeats. Banal said it was his mental strength that carried him through.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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