Boom Boom?s Blood, Sweat and Tears
By Dr. Allan Recto
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 26 Nov 2008
Los Angeles, CA (11/24/08) - It was a terrible night for Filipino boxer Rey "Boom-Boom" Bautista (26-2-0) who was defeated via Unanimous Decision by veteran Mexican fighter Heriberto Ruiz (39-7-2) after eight rounds of a bloody boxing match at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada as undercard for IBO & Ring Junior Welterweight Championship bout between Ricky Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi last Saturday, November 22nd.
Super Bantamweight (122 lbs.) Bautista, who is only 22 years old, suffered his first loss when he was TKO'ed in the first round by Daniel Ponce De Leon in California in August 11, 2007. After that fight, Oscar De La Hoya?s Golden Boy Promotions gave him this chance to make a U.S. comeback fight after defeating Antonio Meza last year then with Genaro Camargo and Eden Marquez earlier this year.
An accidental head butt cut Bautista in his right upper eyelid in the second round, a cut whose bleeding was not effectively controlled, neither by cut man Anthony Martin or his main trainer Edito Villamor, at his corner. The cut was unexpected like the fight's outcome. It was the first time ever Boom Boom had a cut in his entire career. He got knocked down by Ruiz on the 2nd Round. Ruiz was cut in the scalp due to the head butt as well.
As the fight progressed, a bloodied Bautista was never the same. He took a point deduction for low blow in Round 7 yet he kept fighting until the final bell but fell short on majority of the rounds according to the judges' scorecards. Judge Paul Smith scored 73-77; Judge CJ Ross scored it 72-78 while Judge Ricardo Ocasio scored 70-80 ? all in favor of Heriberto Ruiz in the Red Corner.
While it is easy to put blame or point fingers to everyone involved in a boxer?s career including himself, especially when the fighter loses, we can only hope the best for Bautista's future. He needs to do some soul searching and dig deep inside whatever he has to do next. His Team should go back to the drawing board and make necessary changes. He still has a long career ahead and we could still say - rest if you must, but don?t you quit!
Better luck next time!
Top photo: Fighting for survival, a bloodied Boom Boom Bautista clinches on to Ruiz after being knocked down in the 2nd Round. (Photo taken by Dr. Allan Recto)
Referee Robert Byrd making sure Bautista is still fit to continue the fight and tells timekeeper to continue the clock. (Photo taken by Dr. Allan Recto)
Bautista?s cut above caused significant vision impairment making the fight more difficult for him. (Photo taken by Dr. Allan Recto)
Team Ruiz rejoice after announcement of Judges? Unanimous Decision for Heriberto Ruiz. (Photo taken by Dr. Allan Recto)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dr. Allan Recto.
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