?BOOM BOOM? BAUTISTA FACES THE FIGHT OF HIS LIFE
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 22 Feb 2012
Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista, the exciting featherweight prospect from the famed ALA Gym faces the fight of his life against Mexico?s Genaro Garcia who has battled some of the best fighters in his division and is ready to wage war when he battles Bautista at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex on March 3.
Respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer told the Manila Standard that Bautista ?is in much better condition? than when he defended his IBF International title against Miguel Angel Mendoza when he knocked out the Mexican challenger in the 6th round last December 10, 2011.
He said Bautista had a foot injury and could hardly jog because of the pain and was bulky and comparatively slow. But all that has changed.
An operation on his right foot has enabled Bautista to do his roadwork and he is in good condition even as Aldeguer predicted ?a good fight.?
He said Bautista ?likes fighters who come in? and Garcia, based on the fight videos we obtained for the ALA trainers, Garcia is an aggressive fighter who constantly moves forward throwing punches with both hands and works to the body.
Trainer Edito ?Ala? Villamor told the Manila Standard that Bautista was ?moving well? after the operation on his foot and is in fine condition because he?s been able to do his regular roadwork.
Villamor who noted the power in Bautista?s left jab which dropped Mendoza twice in the first round said they had ?taight him how to set up the jab and use it effectively and impressed on him that balance is really important.?
He said Bautista (32-2, 24 KO?s) has been sparring with veteran Michael Domingo and world-rated southpaw AJ ?Bazooka? Banal and will be ready for anything Garcia brings into the ring in their ?Pinoy Pride XII? fight card which will be telecast by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN on March 4 at 10:15 a.m. on Channel 2.
The 34 year old Garcia is a veteran of big fights against WBC bantamweight champion Hozumi Hasegawa and WBC super bantamweight champion Toshiaki Nishioka who is expected to face Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire in an unification title fight later this year. Garcia went the distance with both world champions and gave them a rough time with his whirlwind style.
Garcia also battled former WBO super bantamweight champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr but was stopped in the 7th round of a WBO Latino interim title fight on November 20, 2009.
Garcia is coming off back to back knockouts this year. He scored a 2nd round TKO over Jesus Santillan on January 7 and followed this up with a 6th round TKO of Genaro Camargo on February 11.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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