SUICO, VILORIA, BAUTISA, BOBBY, OH MY!
Filipino fight fans have dubbed the upcoming fall season as “Filipino Fall,” because some of the youngest and brightest Filipino contenders will take part in significant fights come September and October. Not since 1998 to 1999, when Luisito Espinosa, Gerry Penalosa, and Manny Pacquiao held the WBC titles for their respective divisions (126, 115, & 112 lbs), has there been a collection of Filipino prizefighters with world championship potential.
On the undercard of the “Double Trouble” mega card, which will take place September 10th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, a 19 year old, will face virtual walkover Felix Flores. Bautista (16-0, 12 KO’s) has built a large fan following in the Philippines because of his impressive record, and his ambitions to be successful in the United States. Training at the “Wild Card Gym” in Hollywood, Freddie Roach, trainer of Pacquiao, he has taken Bautista under his tutelage. Roach will try to bring the bantamweight to another level, similar to Pacquiao.
“SUPER V” FINALLY GETS HIS CHANCE
After a disappointing delay back in May, Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria will get his first crack at a world title against WBC 108 lb. king Eric Ortiz. At 24-4-1 (16KO’s), Ortiz is from Mexico City and won the title by defeating Jose Antonio Aguirre. Viloria (17-0, 11KO’s), a 2000 U.S Olympian is a Filipino-American, who was born and raised in Hawaii. He is also trained by Roach. This “Fil-Am” will attempt be the first Hawaiian born to win world championship since another “Hawaiian Punch,” Jesus Salud won the WBA 122 lb. belt in 1989. This is the only world title match on the “Double Trouble” card, and it will be a clash between two young and hungry fighters.
SUICO NEARS WORLD TITLE SHOT
Randy Suico, currently ranked #2 by the WBC at 130, he will face former lightweight belt holder Javier Jauregui, this underneath the Robbie Peden-Marco Antonio Barrera unification at 130 show, September 17th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and on HBO PPV. Suico (23-1, 20KO’s) suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Mzonke Fana in South Africa, after dropping Fana twice early and seriously hurting him in the final round. Jauregui (49-12-2, 34KO’s) has faced some of the best fighters at his weight, and will be Suico’s toughest fight to date. Suico, who’s known for a devastating uppercut, allowed the fast-handed Fana to box circles around him, as he looked like he had cement in both shoes. Since losing to Fana, Suico has fought soft opposition. In this, his United States debut, he faces Jauregui who lost his last fight.
BOBBY LOOKING TO STEAL SHOW?
Bobby “The Drama Setter” Pacquiao will climb back into the ring against hardnosed former super featherweight boss Carlos “Famous” Hernandez, this on the undercard of the Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo rematch. When the younger Pacquiao was scheduled to face Carlos Navarro, a fighter to stopped Luisito Espinosa and Agapito Sanchez in his last two goes, very few gave him a legitimate chance. The ray of light (which was little to begin with) dimmed when Bobby slipped and slid around the ring during the opening rounds against Navarro. In the midst of this, a hysterical supporter had to be kicked out of Bobby’s corner.
“DRAMA SETTER” IN A TOUGH SPOT!
However, like the “Drama Setter” he is, Pacquiao (25-11-3, 11KO’s) came back, this after wrapping tape around his shoes, dropped Carlos and forced Navarro to count himself out in a bizarre ending. That fight against Navarro depicted the hot and cold boxing career Bobby has had. Without question, the “Famous” fight is his biggest thus far. Hernandez, (41-5-1, 24KO’s), he lost his last fight, a war with Jesus Chavez. Carlos has a never say die attitude in the ring, as he has faced two greats in Erik Morales and Floyd Mayweather Jr. One thing is clear, Hernandez won’t run, and Bobby loves to keep the fans on the edge of their seats.
QUICK JABS
Former trainer of the year, Freddie Roach, has a handful to manage come September 10th. Not only will Freddie be in the corner of Viloria, but will handle Bautista’s California debut. However, his biggest task at hand to make sure Manny Pacquiao gets past Hector Velezquez, which will pave the wave for a rematch with Erik Morales (should he defeat Zahir Raheem). These will definitely a tough task for the Eddie Futch prot?g?e… Filipino-American fans won’t get a chance to see Viloria or Bautista on U.S. television, since HBO will only feature the matches involving Pacquiao and Morales…Fans shouldn’t forget about (105 lb) Rodel Mayol, who’s ranked number one by the WBC. Mayol has natural talents that can compare to Gerry Penalosa, who is often considered the best all around fighter of the “Big Three” (Espinosa, Penalosa, & Pacquiao). Other than Viloria, Mayol may have the best chance of winning a belt this year.
“LISTEN” TO “RING TALK RADIO” RIGHT NOW!
This past Sunday, Pedro Fernandez’ guests on “Ring Talk Radio,” the longest running talk show (19 years) in boxing history, they included IBF 130 lb. champ Robbie “Bomber” Peden, Andre Ward’s trainer Virgil “Hunt” Hunter, and the most prolific boxing manager in recent boxing history, if not of all time, Shelly Finkel talks about Manny Pacquiao, Fernando Vargas, Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, and I even pressed him on the current status of an old charge in 1984 Olympic Gold Medallist Tyrell Biggs. Also, a “Special Guest” was comedian Earthquake, who did a “number” on Roy Jones Jr. Hit this link http://universaltalknetwork.com/arch_ringtalk.html and enjoy the two-hour show!
