MEXICAN Antonio ?Barrio? Meza insists he is here to boost his career by beating Filipino Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista.
In yesterday?s press conference for the forthcoming ?Payback? card, Meza refuted reports that he has fought nondescript fighters in filling out his supposed impressive 23-2 record.
Meza, the World Boxing Council (WBC) Fecombox super-bantamweight champion, faces Bautista in Sunday morning?s main event of the ?Payback? card at the Araneta Coliseum.
?I came here to win. I prepare hard every time I fight. I will win this fight either by knockout or decision,? said Meza through interpreter and manager Fernando Dominguez.
Meza said he served as one of the sparring partners for seven straight weeks of world-rated and compatriot Luis Maldonado, the challenger of Filipino world flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr., also this Sunday.
?Juan Manuel Marquez is now our superstar because Manny Pacquiao beat all great Mexican fighters. I want to be the next Marquez, or even greater than Marquez,? said Meza. ?Boom Boom? is one of the great fighters. We respect him but once I meet him, he will feel the pain of my punches.?
The classy and well-attended presser was held yesterday at the Meeting Room No. 5 of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) where a three-layered table was occupied by the boxers, promoters and other officials involved in the event.
Bautista, who will stake his WBO Intercontinental super-bantamweight title, also in a 12-round setto, wants to redeem himself after his recent debacle.
?Kung handa siya, mas naghanda ako. Ibang ?Boom Boom? ang makikita ng tao ngayon. Bata pa ako at may mga pagkakamali pero ngayon naitama ko na ang mga pagkakamali na ?yun,? said Bautista, who was accompanied by manager Michael Aldeguer and chief Filipino trainer Edito Villamor.
Third Force Promotions president and former Philippine Basketball Association commissioner Noli Eala assured fans of a first-rate card as they aim to ultimately make boxing a truly spectator sport.
A big bonus is in store for fans who will watch the fight at the Araneta Coliseum as the international feed of the first title defense of Donaire against Maldonado will be shown in a giant screen inside the venue. ABC 5 will broadcast the fight starting at 10 a.m.
Also present yesterday was beauteous lady ring announcer Amy Hayes, who, aside from belting out her signature boxing intro, said she will ?wear something sexy but appropriate.?
Also seeing action is teen sensation AJ ?Bazooka? Banal who will battle another Mexican, Jovanny ?Bambino? Soto, and RP bantamweight champion Michael Domingo who will duke it out with Tanzanian Anthony Matias. Regional minimumweight champion Milan Melindo will be challenged by Indonesian Jack Amisa.
A press preview will be held today at the Market! Market! Mall in Taguig, while the official weigh-in is set tomorrow morning at the Gateway Mall at the Araneta Center. Both events will be staged free to the public.
