Maybe I am full of self-hate. Maybe I just hate the fact that I am not rollin’ like they are.
Regardless of the underlying psychological dynamic, I truly dislike talking with American fighters. More times than not, if you want to talk to one of them, it is a struggle. You have to call two or three contact men before you reach a guy like Antonio Tarver or Roy Jones, escorts with a two call system got nothing on these guys.
My partner Michael Marley recently tried to contact up and comer Paul Williams. I laughed when Michael told me he had to call William’s trainer before getting to Williams and this was only after Williams had contacted the public relations contact. Then to make matters worse, Marley had to call several times, given excuses like, “Paul is in the shower,” or, “He is getting his hair cut.”
Marley who comes from an era were fighters were accessible, i.e. the 1930s, almost had a small stroke after jumping all the hurdles to reach a fighter who has not made a name for himself, yet.
Sure Paul Williams is an exciting fighter, but if I were in charge of his career, I would whoring him out to every media outlet possible.
You want to talk to a fighter from the Third World, just look up their number in the phone book or talk to their promoter’s public relations representative and nine out of ten times you can get the direct number to the boxer. The guy can be in the middle of christening their child and they will give you ten minutes of your time.
So it should not have been a surprise when I called down to The Wild Card Gym on a wing and a prayer, looking for super bantamweight prospect Rey “Boom” Bautista (22-0) and got instant access.
Some surly sounding gym rat answered, I asked for Bautista, who then came on the phone and granted me an interview.
Having just finished up a tough afternoon of sparring, Bautista stated his excitement to be going to Puerto Rico and training along side the Golden Boy himself, Oscar De La Hoya.
“It is such an honor to be going down to Puerto Rico and work with De La Hoya, ” says Bautista. “When I was told I would be fighting on May 5, I was very thankful for the opportunity. He is the best fighter in the world.”
On May 5, Bautista enters the ring against Argentina’s Sergio Manuel Medina (28-0), not relations to Mantecas Medina, on the under card of boxing’s supposed mega event De La Hoya v. Mayweather.
Somehow, by hook or crook, Medina, who has never fought outside of his homeland, is in a WBO super bantamweight eliminator with Bautista. The winner gets the number one slot against champion Daniel Ponce De Leon, who himself hooked and crooked his way to a victory over Gerry Pe?alosa recently.
“I saw De Leon’s fight against Pe?alosa,” says Bautista. “He is a strong puncher, but I know how to beat a guy like him.”
De Leon will not be receiving the tag of Sugar anytime soon, but he throws punches, as if he was Barry Bonds on a steroid-fueled homerun rampage. No worries, says Bautista.
“Yeah, he is a power puncher, but I am not afraid. I can match his power.”
Rafael Marquez recently dethroned Israel Vazquez to become the recognized super bantamweight champion. Ultimately, Marquez is Bautista’s number one goal.
“Rafael is a terrific boxer. He hits hard, but is smart and skilled. He would be an incredible challenge.”
Bautista v. Marquez would be another episode to the recently heated rivalry between Mexico and the Philippines and would a wonderful drama it would be. For now, Bautista will travel to Puerto Rico, home of another fine super bantamweight Juan Manuel Lopez, train with the biggest star in the sport, and await May 5.
