BAUTISTA LANDS IN TAMPA, FLORIDA!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 28 Nov 2006
TAMPA, FLORIDA--Undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) no. 1 superbantamweight Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista has arrived here today from Los Angeles healthy and ready to do battle as he gears up for his December 2 showdown with Brazilian Giovanni Andrade at the St. Pete Times Forum, home of the Stanley Cup holders, the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Bautista was accompanied in the trip by trainer Edito Villamor, while American trainer Freddie Roach joins the group on the eve of the fight.
Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista (second from left) arrives at the Hyatt Regency in Tampa, Florida together with trainer Edito Villamor (left). Promoter Sammy Gello-ani (second from right) with PhilBoxing.com's Salven Lagumbay (right) and Dong Secuya (not in photo) who were coming from Dallas, Texas, rendezvous with Bautista and Villamor at Tampa airport.
Bautista and Villamor then met up with top Filipino promoter Sammy Gello-ani, Philboxing.com's Dong Secuya and this writer who arrived earlier on an American Airlines flight from Dallas.
Bautista and his group were then immediately whisked away on a stretch limousine, and were brought to the magnificent Hyatt Regency Tampa Downtown where they are billeted. The official weigh-in also takes place in the hotel on Friday (Sat in the Philippines).
Bautista had his last training session at Roach's Wild Card Gym last Saturday where he hit the mitts and spent two rounds pounding on the heavy bags.
Villamor informed that prior to the weigh-in on Friday, Bautista will only do light workouts which consist of the mitts, shadow-boxing, light running and skipping rope.
For the Andrade fight, Bautista has logged more than 100 rounds of sparring at the ALA gym in Cebu and Wild Card gym in Los Angeles.
"I am looking forward to this fight. It's been a long time since I was on the ring for a fight," Bautista said in Los Angeles.
The Bautista-Andrade showdown will be one of the undercards to the Winky Wright-Ike Quartey 12-round showdown.
Top photo caption: From left, Villamor, Lagumbay, Gello-ani and Bautista enjoy their stretch limo ride from Tampa airport to the Hyatt Regency. Photo by Dong Secuya.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
BROADCAST TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR “CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: A NIGHT OF BOXING” ON THURSDAY, MAY 22
Wed, 14 May 2025UNBEATEN AMATEUR WORLD CHAMPION TIAH-MAI AYTON SIGNS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Wed, 14 May 2025Arum Targets Manila Rematch: Navarrete vs. Suarez 2 Eyed for Thrilla in Manila Anniversary
By Dong Secuya, Wed, 14 May 2025Ron Johnson’s American Dream Presents & Nothing But Sportz Announce “The Caribbean Clash” Boxing Event at Miami’s James L. Knight Center on Saturday, August 9
Wed, 14 May 2025Francis Chua is Fighting for Family in Comeback fight as he eyes Future fight with Harry Garside
Tue, 13 May 2025Pacquiao Falls Short in Senate Bid, Eyes WBC Title in Stunning Boxing Comeback
By Dong Secuya, Tue, 13 May 2025Navarrete Vs. Suarez – To Right the Wrong
By Ed de la Vega, DDS, Tue, 13 May 2025Injustice in San Diego
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 13 May 2025Charly Suarez Appeals Controversial Loss to Navarrete, California Commission to Rule June 2
By Dong Secuya, Tue, 13 May 2025ALOYSIUS YAPP CROWNED 2025 UK OPEN CHAMPION IN RUTHLESS FINAL PERFORMANCE
Mon, 12 May 2025Suarez loss may be overturned
By Joaquin Henson, Mon, 12 May 2025Adones Cabalquinto Confirmed to Fight Qamil Balla on Peter Maniatis Events card in Melbourne on June 13
Mon, 12 May 2025SOUTO AND YAPP SET FOR TITLE SHOWDOWN | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Mon, 12 May 2025Referee and Ringside Doctor Save Emanuel Navarrete
By Ed de la Vega, DDS, Sun, 11 May 2025Technically Speaking: Navarrete Edges Suarez to Retain Crown
Sun, 11 May 2025