WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista hurdled his first acid test against a Mexican fighter with finesse, forcing the very game Gilberto Bolanos into retirement at the start of the sixth round in the main event of the highly-successful “El Gran Combate” card witnessed by a sellout crowd the other night at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex. After putting up a gallant stand for five rounds, Bolanos waved the white flag upon the advise of his trainer Rogelio Baldenegro as a nasty cut over his left eye that later needed seven stitches to close rendered him unfit to continue fighting.
“He’s very strong. He’s got the power. Of all the world-rated fighters I fought, he’s the strongest. Certainly he will become a champion,” said Bolanos, who was forced to quit for the first time in his career.
After an even first round, Bautista worked his way out and caught Bolanos with telling combinations, but the Mexican never backtracked. Instead, he locked up himself in a fierce exchange of punches with the ALA teenage sensation.
Halfway in the third, Bautista rapidly threw a barrage of body shots capped by a right uppercut to the belly that sent Bolanos crashing onto the canvass.
Bolanos got up nimbly, but the Candijay, Bohol-native bomber again hammered his opponent with his devastating left hook-right uppercut combinations. The Mexican was fortunate though as he was saved by the bell from further punishment.
Bautista continued to press the attack button ferociously until he sneaked in a crackling right straight to the head that opened a gaping gash on Bolanos’ left optic in the fourth.
Showing a Mexican warrior in him, Bolanos courageously fought on in the fifth round and despite blood profusely raced through his cheeks, he managed to land a powerful right straight to the head that wobbled Bautista. That was Bolanos’ only consolation in the abbreviated match.
Seeing the cut was too serious and may put his boxer in danger, Baldenegro signaled referee Teddy Alivio to wave off the fight, thus, a victory for Bautista via TKO.
“Kaya ra nako siya pero di kakompiyansaan nga boxer si Bolanos. Lig-on ug may kusog. Sa fifth round, natay-og ko sa dihang naigo sa iyang right uppercut,” said Bautista, who received cheers and a warm round of applause from a delighted crowd while making his traditional victory pose every corner.
Bautista, who was ahead on all the judges three scorecards at the time of the stoppage, 49-45, 50-45 and 49-45, bettered his unbeaten record to 16-0 now spiked with a dozen stoppages, while Bolanos fell to 10-9-1 with 10KOs.
Sportsman Antonio “Bidoy” L. Aldeguer, the manager of Bautista, is very appreciative of Bautista for putting up a good fight, even as he also admitted that his boy still needs experience.
“The public must be reminded that Bautista is fighting in only his first two years as a pro. He’s still 18 years old. Obviously he still needs experience, but he fought a tough fight and that’s what we need,” said Aldeguer.
“It’s really a tough fight for him because it is only the first time I’ve seen Bautista too cautious in the first two rounds,” added Aldeguer, who confirmed that Bautista is booked to fight in Sacramento, California on an ESPN fight card on September 2.
In the supporting main event of the explosive card presented by international promoter Sammy Gello-ni in partnership with the Las Vegas Visitors and Convention Bureau, WBA Pan-African light flyweight champion Bert Batawang won via TKO at the start of the second round over Elmer Muyco, who was compelled to quit on his stool due to a pulled muscle in his left shoulder blade.
Of the three debuting ALA Boys, only Rey Caitom emerged victorious via unanimous verdict over Reymund Legaspi. Rashid Bacus’ fight against Rex Madrid was declared a unanimous draw, while Alex John Banal fought to a technical draw against Sonny Saguing.The bout was stopped after Banal sustained a deep cut over his right eye inflicted by an accidental headbutt in the second round.
Also, Caesar Amonsot defeated Jun Paderna by majority decision, while Orlan Enriquez stunned Robert Allanic via TKO at the start of the third round.
