BEYOND THE PUNCH: THE BOOM BOOM BAUTISTA INTERVIEW
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 09 Oct 2009
CEBU CITY -- Love him or hate him, Rey "BoomBoom" Bautista made fans buy tickets. He enthralled sell-out crowds who came to see him pummel his opponent unconscious. But criticisms piled up his way after losses to Daniel Ponce DeLeon (2007) and Heriberto Ruiz (2008). After being sidelined for nine months due to surgery on his injured wrist Bautista is winding down his training for his October 16 fight against Indonesian superbantamweight Champion Marangin "Dinamita" Marbun for the vacant interim WBC international featherweight title. Boom Boom sat down for a one on one interview to talk about his boxing career and other matters of interest.
He showed me the surgical scar on his left wrist; he had a fractured scaphoid bone - one of eight wrist bones and it sits below the thumb - which caused him recurring pain for a couple of years.
Bautista said that initially it was relieved by analgesics but eventually the pain became too much and affected his sparring. (“Dugay na man gyud nako gi-agwanta ang sakit, sa ona, madala pa ug tambal. Pagka dugay na, dili gani ko maka-sparring ug tarung.”)
The pain affected his plan for the Ponce De Leon bout. “I became impatient, decided to attack right away because I was worried that if the pain recurred during the fight, I wouldn't be able to punch and he would beat me up.” (“Ako tung gi-dali kay kahibaw ko na mu-sakit na unya akong kamot, makulatahan gyud ko.”)
It turned out to be the wrong plan but Bautista feels he had no choice given the situation. He said that if given the chance to face Ponce De Leon again he would do things differently, especially now that his wrist has healed. But, he would not repeat the heavy training regimen that caused the injury. There was a plan was to have Jeff Malcolm train him but because of visa issues for the Australian it did not push through.
What was going through his mind during the lay-off?
“I did not feel sorry for myself. All I wanted to do was the return to the ring.”
Does Boom Boom feel his life is incomplete without a world title?
"I don't really feel it is incomplete. God willing, I will win a world title. I will try my best, that is the only thing I can do." (“Dili man sad ko maka-ingun na kuwang na sa akong kinabuhi karun. Kung pag-buot sa Diyos, ma champion man gyud ko. Ako kutob ra gyud sa pani-nguha.”)
Bautista has been boxing for 8 years now, 6 as a pro. What was his most memorable win?
“It was the 12 round decision win against Sergio Medina in the undercard of Oscar dela Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather in Las Vegas two years ago.”
His favorite boxer?
“Felix Trinidad. I like his offensive style and body attack.”
What does he do if he is not training?
“I actually just go around and drive. I even drive my passenger mini-bus.” Bautista owns a mini-bus plying the route to Bohol's famous Chocolate Hills. People there are amused if they see him drive.
If he was not a boxer, what would be his chosen profession?
“I would like to be in the Army. I idolize men in uniform. I actually studied Criminology and reached second year but my fights abroad hindered my studies.”
On the intrigues that he has become arrogant and boastful ever since he became famous, I asked Boom Boom has fame changed him?
“I haven't changed. Fame has not changed me. I don't really know why people say I have become boastful. Maybe they're just envious. I greet people I know especially if I find out they are from Candijay (his home town). But I cannot remember everyone. They should understand that.” (“Wala man ko na-usab. Wala man na-usab akong batasan nga na-ilhan na ko. Wa gyud ko kahibaw kung ngano na mi-ingun na sila na hambugero ko. Siguro, Kasina ra na sa tawo. Mutagad man ko kung na-a koy kaila, labi na taga Candijay. Pero dili man ko maka tima-an sa tanang tawo na akong naka-ila. Sila sad unta mu-sabot ana”)
“Maybe it's the way I walk, I don't really know. But boxers don't walk in a very relaxed manner. I also don't like it when people just make fun of boxers. They don't appreciate our effort how difficult our job is.”
Bautista also thinks people mistake his self-confidence for arrogance. He actually has a Zen-like explanation for all the negative rumors about him.
“Bad news travels fast, good news travels slow.” (“Ang dautan na balita dali mukatap, ang maayong balita hinay mukatap.”)
What does he think he needs to do to improve? What will fans expect in his upcoming fight?
“People accuse me of having no head movement and no foot work. I actually have both. But sometimes I have to tailor my style to my opponent. But just watch my fight and they will see more improvement."
He has glimpsed fame of the highest order four years ago when he was part of a national celebration involving Manny Pacquiao and Brian Viloria. But Bautista said even if he reaches Pacquiao-like heights he will still be the same old Rey Bautista. He has outgrown the superbantamweight division where he won WBO Asia-Pacific and Intercontinental titles. He is campaigning now as a featherweight and ALA Trainer Franklin Albia has been supervising his regimen as the other trainers, Edito and Edmund Villamor have been with their other boxers abroad. Bautista still feels comfortable and strong at 126 lbs. He has been sparring with Jason Pagara, Mark Jason Melligen, James Bacon and Czar Amonsot.
As a parting shot Boom Boom invites the fans to watch his comeback. “They will see a very good fight.”
The ALA boxers will have a public workout at SM Cebu tomorrow Friday 4 PM at the Entertainment Plaza.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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