THE ALA BOYS: ON THE WAY HOME AND PRIMED TO RUMBLE!
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 03 Feb 2007
The ALA Boys, Z Gorres and Rey Boom Boom Bautista broke camp early this afternoon and prepared to fly home to Cebu.
The final day of training however, was not anything different from the daily routine. They still had to jog early in the morning from their apartment all the way up to the Griffith Observatory at the Hollywood Hills, a 6 mile, all up-hill run.
They also sparred 8 rounds each under the watchful eyes of Freddie Roach and Edito Villamor. Gorres sparred 4 rounds with Dimitri Kirilov, the #3 IBF super flyweight and another 4 with Giovanni Segura.
Bautista took the ring for 8 rounds with Mike Franco. After the sparring they worked on the heavy and the speed bags, skipped rope and finally did the conditioning exercises prescribed by Justine Fortune. After all the work and the final shower, Freddie Roach gave them final encouraging words and everyone at the Wild card Gym wished them well as they prepared to fly home to fulfill their dreams.
Golden Boy Promotions sent a car to pick them up at their apartment and drove them to the Los Angeles Airport. (LAX)
I had the pleasure of seeing the boys off at LAX. While waiting for the flight we spent a couple of hours exchanging pleasantries and just talking about the upcoming bouts.
Gorres who is the first ranked challenger in his division is excited about his chances of winning his fight and be the first Filipino in 2007 to win a true world title. When I asked him about Montiel?s possible no-show in Cebu, he expressed a little bit of disappointment but indicated that he is prepared to face the 2nd rank fighter, a Thai whose name he can not even pronounce, for the world title. (Pramuansak Phosuwan-Editor)
?Kahit po sino sa kanila, handa akong lalaban.? ( I am prepared to fight any of them? meaning Montiel or the Thai fighter)
Bautista is also aware of the magnitude of his fight. Although it is for a minor regional title, he knows that the fight is his ticket to a bigger bout, possibly against Ponce de Leon, the WBO super bantamweight champ.
?Sana ako ang kalaban ni Ponce pero ngayon baka di na yun matuloy kasi baka talunin pa siya ni Gerry sa March . ( I wished I will be fighting Ponce, but now that may not happen because Gerry Penalosa may beat him in March) Bautista said candidly.
At the airport, it was nice to see that the boys were recognized by some fans although they do not yet have the popularity of Manny Pacquiao. I can?t hardly wait to see what will happen when they win true world titles. With the Pacman seemingly geared to go to politics, it would not be a surprise to see the ALA Boys take over and continue to bring honor to the country.
Without a doubt, there will be a parade in Cebu. But, will there be one in Manila and a visit to the Big House by the Pasig River? I sure hope so!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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