A ?BOOMING? INTERVIEW
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 06 Aug 2010
Rey ?BoomBoom? Bautista remains a popular figure in Philippine boxing. Among his ALA Gym stablemates, he is the one readily recognized in public. He has his numerous detractors but he also draws fans who want to shake his hand and have a picture taken with him.
The 24year old Bautista (28W with 21 KO's ? 2L-0D) will have his third fight this August 28 since recovering from surgery and undergoing rehab on his left wrist.
Bautista still remembers agonizing through his two career losses and the pain he felt on his left hand. ?I couldn?t throw my left hook with full force. I was even afraid to block with my left hand. People don?t realize how the pain affected me prior to my knockout loss to Daniel Ponce de Leon.?
?I got hit with a good punch. I realize that. I know I need to improve my defense and not get impatient. I am working on that.? He said.
The criticisms continued to pile up when he lost to Heriberto Ruiz.
?I know I shouldn?t have lost that fight. The referee was blind to his headbutts. I was even the one who got deducted a point. The pain on my hand continued to affect me. I lost my confidence and couldn?t sleep.?
Bautista is now a featherweight, one of boxing?s toughest divisions which has the likes of Juan Manuel Lopez, Yuriorkis Gamboa, Rafael Marquez and Chris John.
?It would be an honor for me to fight any one of them, even if I lose,? Bautista said. ?But I would like to fight Juanma Lopez.?
Why Lopez?
?To silence the critics. Lopez knocked out DeLeon. If I beat him, then in a way I can erase my first loss. I saw Bernabe Concepcion?s fight against Lopez. I will be more careful. I will now repeat his mistakes.? Bautista also wants to face DeLeon and Ruiz again.
Bautista is already financially stable with a fleet of tricycles and vans in his native Bohol. Has this affected his drive during training?
?No.I still want to fight. I still want to improve and become world champion. Improve my balance, footwork and defense.?
The ALA Boxers are now under a new conditioning coach Pio Solon. Has the new regimen worked for Boom Boom?
?The things that we lacked, our flaws were being corrected. He improved my strength, balance and endurance.? Bautista said. ?It has made our training harder but we know it is for our benefit.?
Bautista will face Alejandro ?Zorrito? Barrera (20W with13 KO's- 3L) of Mexico in the main event of the Philippines vs the World fight card. The 30 year old Barrera is former WBC Continental Americas featherweight titlist and is the cousin of the legendary Marco Antonio Barrera.
ALA Public relations man Chad Ca?ares interviewed Barrera on the internet. ?Zorrito? said that he once sparred with Marco Antonio who he describes as a cousin and a good friend.
Barrera in his interview said that ?We will win for sure. If I can knock him out, I will, but I am prepared to fight him even if the fight will go the distance.?
Barrera was asked about his opinion regarding Filipino fighters. He replied, ?Filipino fighters are good but Mexicans are better.?
In response to that, Bautista said ?It is not a question of race. It is a question of training and dedication. We are equals when we go inside the ring.?
Bautista also talked about Z Gorres. ?I was worried and afraid when I heard that he underwent brain surgery. It could happen to me or to any boxer. But then I realized that God always has a plan for us. When we fight, we place ourselves in God?s hands.?
In his preparation for this fight, Bautista has sparred with Michael Domingo, Fernando Otik, Rufino Mante and Genesis Servania.
Judging from the reception he got when he fought Marangin Marbun at the Waterfront Hotel last year, Bautista remains a big draw. He has the charisma of a big puncher. Just how far BoomBoom can go this time with his reconstructed hand remains to be seen. But one thing for sure is that he will be scrutinized in front of a sell out crowd.
(Photo below ? Bautista second from the right during the Thursday presscon for the Philippines vs World fight card)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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