Wednesday, 29 July 2026 · Philippines
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PINOY PRIDE 6: BAUTISTA AND RUIZ MAKE WEIGHT

Cebu City ? Will it be repeat or revenge?

Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista weighed in at 125.5 lbs while Heriberto Ruiz of Mexico stepped in at the featherweight limit of 126 lbs during the official weigh-in held Friday noon in front of a sizable and excited crowd at the SM Cebu City Mall Events Center.

They will fight for the IBF International featherweight title Saturday at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino. Bautista will be gunning to avenge his 2008 loss to Ruiz. In that fight, Bautista fought with a painful left hand but he did suffer a knockdown and was bloodied en route to his second career loss.

Bautista has four wins under his belt since undergoing wrist surgery. Ruiz had a 6W-3L record since beating Bautista and suffered losses to quality fighters like Jackson Asiku and Steve Molitor. This fight will most likely determine the career course of both boxers.

Ruiz' countryman Juan Carlos Gallegos weighed in at the junior welterweight limit of 140 lbs and his opponent, the ALA Gym's Jayson Pagara weighed 139.75 lbs. This will be a step up in the level of competition for the 18 year old Pagara as this marks the first time he will face a Mexican inside the ring. Their fight is scheduled for ten rounds.

Edrin ?The Sting? Dapudong of North Cotabato weighed 113 lbs while his undefeated Indonesian opponent, Benja ?Rhinoceros? Loemoli stepped in at 110 lbs. They will engage in a ten round non-title contest.

Also scheduled to see action are Genesis Servania (121.5 lbs) of Bacolod City vs. Richard Donaire (118 lbs) of Gensan (8 rounds), Rey Melligen (135 lbs) of Bacolod City vs. Jason Inso (135 lbs) of Mandaue City (6 rounds), Roma Rate (109.75 lbs) of Mandaue City vs. Marjun Baliguat (108 lbs) of Aklan (6 rounds), Boyce Sultan (120 lbs) of Zamboanga del Norte vs. Royroy Sumugat (119.5 lbs) of Bacolod City (6 rounds) and Mark Vincent Bernaldez (121 lbs) of Butuan City who will be making his pro debut against Ramie Crisostomo (121.5 lbs) of Bacolod City (4 rounds).

Top photo: Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista (L) and Mexican Heriberto Ruiz pose during Friday's official weighin at the Evert Center of SM City Cebu.

Jason Pagara (L) and Juan Carlos Gallegos.

Edrin Dapudong (L) and Benja Loemoli of Indonesia.

Photos by Xander Secuya.

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