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:
Boxing Golden Age Comparison - Philippines and Japan
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Kittipong, Magdalena, Kim, Kritiphak Claim Wins in Brico Santig's Show in Bangkok
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Kremlev, Crawford, Fury Launch IBA's Golden Era of International Boxing
Fri, 04 Jul 2025International Master Angelo Young stays on course for GM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 04 Jul 2025Robby Gonzales and Yoseline Perez Progress to Semifinals at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Fri, 04 Jul 2025Fireworks Ahead: Magsayo vs Mata in Prelims of Pacquiao vs Barrios
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Japan's Boxing Golden Age Remains Limited to the Lower Weights
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 03 Jul 2025No issues with fight ref
By Joaquin Henson, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Grand Muay Thai event in Verona
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Thu, 03 Jul 2025Morelle McCane and Rene Camacho Advance to Quarterfinals of World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
Thu, 03 Jul 20253 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Eighth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Mexican Independence Day Weekend, Saturday September 13, in Las Vegas
Thu, 03 Jul 2025ESPN Original Series The Fight Life Returns for Season Two on July 7
Wed, 02 Jul 2025TOP-RATED LIGHTWEIGHT KO ARTIST ARMANDO MARTINEZ RABI RETURNS
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Amazing Muay Thai WBC Festival 2025
Wed, 02 Jul 2025Borromeo Leads Winners of the Philippine Speedcubing Championships
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 02 Jul 2025