“THE PINOY” LOOKS AT THE NEXT PACMAN?
San Francisco, CA-Several weeks ago, SGG Promotions, headed by Sammy ‘Don King’ Gello-ani won the rights to promote Z Gorres’ WBO super flyweight title bid against champion, Fernando Montiel. SGG Promotions won the bid by just $500 over Top Rank, who made a paltry $25,500 bid. Gello-ani plans to hold the bout in Cebu, an island located in the Visayan Islands section of the Philippines (in between Northern Luzon, where Manila is located, and Mindinao, where Manny Pacquiao’s hometown of General Santos is located.
INEXPENSIVE TITLE FIGHT FIRST SINCE 2002
If plans push forward, it will be the first world title bout held in the Philippines since Pacquiao defended his IBF title back in 2002. And besides Pacquiao, the last world title bout that took place in the Philippines was almost nine years ago. Unlike the Pacquiao’s title defenses, which were essentially mismatches, Gorres-Montiel bout looks to be an even match-up between two fast boxers.
THE HARSH REALITY IS THIS…
To put into context the magnitude and historical importance of a Gorres win, no Filipino has won a world title in the Philippines since 1988 (almost 19 years), when Rolando Bohol captured an IBF flyweight belt in Manila. The bout between Gorres, 26-1-1 (14 KOs), and Montiel, 32-2-1 (24 KOs), is tentatively set for February 25th, 2007.
”BOOM BOOM” ON TRACK TO FACE PONCE DE LEON
In my first column for “Ring Talk” (February 2005), I said that Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista is clearly the next “Pacman.” Bautista is only 20 years old and has already fought and won in hostile territories like Japan and Korea, places where few foreign fighters leave victorious. Since moving up to super bantamweight (122 lbs), Bautista, 21-0 (16 KOs), has knocked out his last two opponents in dominating fashion. His latest victory was so impressive that his promotional outfit, Golden Boy Promotions, feels their prospect is ready for a WBO title shot against one of the top fighters in the division, Ponce De Leon. Set to take place underneath the Gorres-Montiel bout, Bautista will face the biggest puncher so far, De Leon, 30-1 (28 KOs). This will be a huge leap for the 20-year-old, who has been groomed since his arrival to the United States in 2005 as the next Filipino star.
Z AND REY’S BOUTS FOLLOW BAD STREAK
Those who are familiar with Philippine boxing history understand the unusualness of both Gorres’ and Bautista’s planned title shots. Evidence in recent title shots by Filipinos all shares the same common circumstance. First, the challenger is way over-matched. This can be seen with the failed attempts at world titles by Jimrex Jaca, Randy Suico, and Diosdado Gabi. All three opponents took on tough world champions that were deemed as future stars of the sports. All three fighters stood little chance of pulling off an upset, and served as stepping stones for the established champions. The second type of title shot is the opponent trying to win the belt in the champion’s hometown. Young, undefeated, and raw minimumweight fighter Rodel Mayol put up the best performance in a title loss against tough WBC champion, Eagle Kyowa. In that bout, the inexperience of Mayol served as his downfall as he exploded in the first four rounds, out punching and backing up Kyowa, who never likes to take a step a back. Mayol ran out of gas late in the fight and the champion railed, scoring a knockdown in the 12 to steal the victory.
