GORRES BELIEVES A NEW 'BOOM BOOM' WILL EMERGE
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 26 Nov 2007
An improved, fine-tuned Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista is expected to be showcased when he goes up against Mexican toughie Antonio "Barrio" Meza on December 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.
This was the observation made by world-ranked Z "The Dream" Gorres in a recent interview at the ALA Gym where Bautista has been training for the fight.
The ALA Boy Bautista will headline the blockbuster "Payback" card promoted by Third Force Promotions and ABC-5 with the support of "Ginebra San Miguel" in cooperation with PAGCOR, Thunderbird, Casino Rubbing Alcohol, Omega Pain Killer, and ML Kwarta Padala.
Bautista (23-1, 17 KO's) will defend his WBO Intercontinental superbantam crown against Meza (23-3, 16 KO's) in a 12-round scrap to be aired live by ABC-5.
"Boom Boom has been working heavily to prepare for this fight. But more than that, he has added head movement and other defensive stuff to complement his offensive arsenal," informed Gorres, who is himself preparing for a big February 2 showdown with Australia's Vic Darchinyan in an IBF eliminator set in the Philippines.
"While before he thought he could take any punch coming his way, this time, he realizes making his opponent miss is a more admirable treat," added Gorres.
To prepare against Meza, Bautista sparred some 134 rounds against Gorres, AJ Banal, Glenn Masicampo and Mark Jason Melligen at the ALA Gym.
"If he (Meza) says he has trained for this fight and will shame me in front of my fans, then what about me? Did I not train?" Bautista countered when told that Meza had been quoted as saying he is in tremendous shape for the fight.
Earlier, organizers had announced that as an added bonus for those who will watch the fight at Araneta Coliseum, the fight of IBF and IBO flyweight champion Nonito Donaire against Luis Maldonado will also be shown on big screens inside the historic arena. So for the price of one, fans will get to watch two events inside one venue, said promoter Noli Eala of Third Force Promotions.
Another added bonus is the presence of the world's sexiest ring announcer Amy Hayes, as well as the Kitty Girls and Ms. Vina Morales, who will sing the Philippine national anthem.
Also slated to see action in the card are undefeated ALA Boys AJ 'Bazooka' Banal and Milan Milendo, who will see action against Mexican and Indonesian opponents, respectively.
RP champs Michael Domingo and Rocky Fuentes are also on the card, as they battle it out against Tanzania's Anthony Mathias and Richie Mepranum.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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