BOOM BOOM ON THE ROAD TO ?PAYBACK?
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 30 Oct 2007
Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista is on the road to ?Payback? when he battles Antonio ?Barrio? Meza on December 2 at the Araneta Coliseum. The 21-year-old Boholano will defend his WBO Inter-Continental superbantamweight title against the Mexicali, Mexico fighter.
Bautista needs an opponent whom he can use to recover and make as a stepping stone on the way back to stardom. Just like what Vic Darchinyan (29-1, 23 KOs) did to another Cebu-based fighter Federico Catubay (20-14, 11KOs). The TKO win installed Darchinyan back to prominence after the great upset to Nonito Donaire.
Bautista is renowned as a power puncher and is very capable of sending his adversaries to the canvas. That?s the reason why he's often compared to world icon Manny Pacquiao. However, he still lacks the sturdiness which was uncovered in his bout against the more seasoned WBO superbantamweight king Daniel Ponce de Leon.
Boom Boom is aching to redeem himself from the astonishing first-round knockout loss at the hands of Ponce De Leon in the main event of the recent World Cup held in Sacramento, California in which he gave the only blemish in the record of the Philippines? victory over arch-rival Mexico.
Meza is the reigning Federaci?n de Comisiones de Box de la Rep?blica Mexicana (Fecombox) champion. He won over his last five opponents which include mediocre boxers Romel Aguilar (10-6-4), Luis Perez Vicente (18-22-0), Rodolfo Garay (6-8-0), Guadalupe Hernandez (3-9-0), and Giovanni Urbina (6-11-0), all of Mexico.
Bautista, a native of Candijay has already held the WBO Intercontinental and WBO Youth super bantamweight titles. He has shown the talent not only to knock out his opponents with either hand, but also to box proficiently over the 12 round championship distance, which many young fighters cannot duplicate.
As an amateur boxer, he won a gold medal in the 2002 National Youth Open in Cebu City, and being awarded as the Best Boxer in the amateur championships.
In 2006, Bautsita made a big flaunt on the boxing world when he knocked out Roberto Bonilla in just three rounds at Staples Center in Los Angeles in May, and stopping 61 fight veteran Giovanni Andrade in just four rounds at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida.
Antonio Aldeguer denied they are making it easy for Boom Boom to stage a comeback and hit a payback. He defended the choice of Meza stating the Mexican is no pushover having a record of 23-2-0 (16 KOs) and is a southpaw.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Jamaine Ortiz Aims to Derail Keyshawn Davis’ Undefeated Streak at Madison Square Garden
Wed, 14 Jan 2026“No bad blood from me”- Good friends become better rivals – Clarke is ready for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Wed, 14 Jan 2026Itauma suffers injury; Magnificent 7 rescheduled to March 28
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 14 Jan 2026Top Super Lightweights Bryan Flores & Starling Castillo Battle in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
Wed, 14 Jan 2026Harden surpasses Shaquille O'Neal's to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in NBA history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 14 Jan 2026“It’s time, LFG” - Holly McMath Trilogy for WBC Title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
Tue, 13 Jan 2026IBA President Kremlev encourages sporting organisations to protect women’s sport following Trump’s statement on Imane Khelif
Tue, 13 Jan 2026REYES, STRICKLAND, BUSTAMANTE & SOUQUET SET FOR HISTORIC SHOWDOWN AT WNT LEGENDS – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Tue, 13 Jan 2026Pumicpic fights Korean in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 13 Jan 2026No. 1 rated WBA Super Flyweight contender John “Scrappy” Ramirez remains patient and Looks forward to a 2026 World title shot
Tue, 13 Jan 2026Ironman 70.3 Davao on March 22
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 13 Jan 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 12 JANUARY 2026: Dalton Smith Halts Subriel Matias in 5; Kabayel Stops Knyba in 3
By Eric Armit, Mon, 12 Jan 2026Chess Players Association of Negros Occidental, Incorporated (CPANOI) – 2026 Opening Event
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 12 Jan 2026STUNNING SMITH DESTROYS MATIAS TO BECOME WORLD CHAMPION
Sun, 11 Jan 2026Former WBC champ Bazooka Limón hospitalized in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 11 Jan 2026