Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista is definitely fighting WBO superbantamweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon but it’s still not certain if the title bout will be held here as part of a World Cup card featuring Mexico versus the Philippines or as the main event at the Arco Arena in Sacramento on Aug. 11.
Golden Boy Promotions vice president Eric Gomez told The STAR in a recent e-mail that Ponce de Leon is confirmed as Bautista’s next opponent but held back on making a firm announcement as to where and when the fight will take place.
ALA stable owner Tony Aldeguer said yesterday he’s certain a decision will be made within a week.
“The budget for the World Cup is rather big,” said Aldeguer. “We are exploring all possibilities. Nothing is concrete at the moment. Actually, the ball is now in the hands of Golden Boy. They will decide on the hosting of the World Cup. We, in turn, will just wait for their next move.”
Aldeguer said the $500,000 diamond-crusted World Cup trophy, symbolic of a nation’s supremacy in the sport, is in a Cebu bank vault. It was brought over from Los Angeles last year when negotiations began for Mexico to defend the trophy against the Philippines in the second World Cup. The first tie was held in Arizona two years ago with Mexico beating Thailand in four world title fights and five of six overall.
Gomez said talks are ongoing to firm up the World Cup card but whatever happens, Ponce de Leon will stake the WBO 122-pound title against Bautista.
“Our Filipino partners, ALA Boxing and SGG Promotions, are in negotiations with ABS-CBN,” said Gomez. “We will make an announcement as soon as everything is in place – the fights (in the card), site, location and TV. This should happen soon. Ponce de Leon is confirmed at this time. We will announce everything else soon.”
Even as negotiations are in progress for the World Cup to be held in Manila or Cebu in late August or early September, it appears Golden Boy has a Plan B in place. The popular boxing website boxrec.com has reported a scheduled Ponce de Leon-Bautista title bout in Sacramento on Aug. 11.
Bautista, 20, stole the thunder in the recent blockbuster “The World Awaits” card in Las Vegas by scoring a unanimous 12-round decision over previously undefeated Sergio (Rocky) Medina of Argentina in an action-packed WBO championship eliminator. The win raised the Candijay, Bohol, native’s record to 23-0, with 17 KOs.
Ponce de Leon, 26, won the vacant WBO crown via a decision over Thailand’s Sod Looknongyangtoy in Tucson two years ago. He has since repulsed four challengers, including Looknongyangtoy on a first round knockout in a rematch. The Mexican of Tarahumara Indian descent fought at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, turned pro a year later and since suffering his only loss to Celestino Caballero on points in 2005, has won seven in a row.
Gomez singled out Bautista and ALA stablemate A. J. Banal as Golden Boy’s future world champions.
“They’re our best prospects,” said Gomez. “It was important to give them huge exposure on an Oscar de la Hoya card. They’re still young and will continue to get better with time.”
