REIGNING WORLD Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey ‘Boom Boom’ Bautista gets his biggest break thus far, and that will happen beneath the elite September 10 Manny Pacquiao and Erik Morales double main event in Los Angeles, California.
According to handler Tony Aldeguer, the 19-year-old Bautista will face Felix Flores Murillo of Colombia in an 8-round supporting bout.
Bautista is expected to have his hands full against the 31-year-old Murillo, a four-year 18-fight veteran who holds a menacing record of 13-4-1 with 11 knockouts.
Not only does Murillo holds a solid KO percentage but is also regarded as an awkward southpaw who is known to employ rough tactics when the going gets tough.
November of last year in San Antonio, Murillo tried to get the goat of undefeated American prospect Raul “Cobra” Martinez in a 4-round bout.
Murillo’s reckless fighting style caused a nasty cut on Martinez’ eye that later required eight stitches to close. Murillo was eventually disqualified in the fourth round due to excessive holding.
Bautista on the other hand is unfazed by his foe’s slipshod style as he is more focused in creating a credible impact come fight night and boost his young but promising career.
After a cunning work out with Hawaiian sensation Brian Viloria recently, Bautista sparred with current IBF world superbantamweight champion Israel Vasquez of Mexico yesterday at the Wild Card Gym.
Bautista along with chief trainer Edito Villamor are getting significant pointers from respected American trainer Freddie Roach.
Bautista and Viloria are part of a Top Rank’s upcoming boxing promotion at the Staples Center.
The 24-year-old Viloria, the Ilocos-born sensation nicknamed ‘Hawaiian Punch,’ will gun for the World Boxing Council (WBC) lightflyweight title versus defending champion Eric Ortiz of Mexico in a 12-round duel.
The main event will feature Pacquiao versus Mexican hoper Hector Velasquez and Mexican superstar Erik Morales against American Zaheer Raheem.
