BAUTISTA: THE INTERNET CONTENDER
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 17 Feb 2007
When Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista began his pro boxing career, internet cafes were sprouting all over the Philippines. Now they are as common as bakeries selling “pan de sal”. Bautista career also blossomed when Manny Pacquiao started his meteoric rise to world boxing superstardom. The proliferation of boxing websites lead to an obsessive scrutiny by fans following Boomboom’s career.
His sparring sessions have been the subject of boxing website forums. Is Bautista’s knockdown at the hands of a sparring partner really a cause for concern?
During sparring the level of fear in a boxer is not high. They lower their guard down and experiment on a few things. This especially happens to the more popular boxer employing a sparring partner.
It is during actual bouts that their level of fear increases and makes them more alert. It is the ability to control and master this fear that spells the difference in fights. Bautista has also shown the ability to get off the canvas to win a fight. The likes of Felix Trinidad and Diego Corrales are more exciting to watch because of the ability to get off the mat.
The undefeated Boholano (21W-0L, 16KO) will face Feider Viloria of Columbia on Feb. 24 as part of the 'Moment of Truth' card at the Cebu City Sports Complex. Viloria has a record pf 19 W (13 ko's)-L 1-D 1. The 23 year old right-hander turned pro in 2002.
He has fought only once outside Colombia. This was last 2005 in Panama where he suffered the lone loss of his career, a fifth round KO loss to a certain Roinet Caballero.
Viloria should not pose any problems for Bautista. His handlers of course, will not be looking past this opponent, but the obvious question will continue to be asked- will this be the year Rey will make the next step? Is he ready? Will he fulfill our expectations?
When do we really know a boxer is ready for a title shot? Sizing up contenders is not an exact science. For the past two years, Bautista’s eight opponents have a combined record of 168 W – 52 L – 3D. He has faced the usual veteran boxers used the test young contenders. Giovani Andrade and Gerardo Espinoza (who knocked Rey down in the second round) have fought world titlists.
Veteran fighters are part of the learning process for any rising star. Veterans usually are not that easy to hit squarely on the jaw. They know how to frustrate a young fighter. Through years of experience they have learned survival tactics in the ring. Even fans can learn a lot by watching them closely. Bautista has shown that he is good enough to handle them.
Boxers who fought for a championship will tell you that a title fight is an entirely different experience. Through the years we have seen many promising fighters come up short and also some underrated fighters surprise us. So it will be Bautista who will have the final say on the championship question.
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