MORE than two years ago, Heriberto Ruiz handed a bloodied Rey ?Boom-Boom? Bautista a heart-breaking loss that derailed his young boxing career. In their rematch on Saturday night at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City, the 33-year-old Mexican veteran is certain of doing it again, in Bautista?s home soil.
?In the first fight with Boom-Boom I didn?t train that well. Now, we had a good preparation for three months for this fight. We?ve come all the way here to win this fight. I?m prepared for 12 rounds and I?m going to try to knock him out,? Ruiz said in the final press conference of ?Pinoy Pride 6 ? Grudge Rematch? at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino yesterday.
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However, Bautista won?t allow history to repeat itself as he too is convinced that he?ll avenge his unanimous decision loss to Ruiz in 2008 with a victory in their 12-round bout for the International Boxing Federation International featherweight crown this weekend.
?If he is confident then I am too. We?ll just see who?s better. If he?s ready then I?m more ready,? said the 24-year-old one-time world title challenger
?I feel no pressure because I trained hard. I would feel pressured if I wasn?t ready. It wouldn?t matter because it will be just the two of us inside the ring.?
Bautista?s trainer Edmund Villamor said that his ward, who endured a broken left wrist in the first fight, has shown signs of improvement in all aspects of his game including his maturity and his defense, which is always a target of critics.
Ruiz feels he has the edge in experience with a total of 58 fights and a 46-10-2 record with 28 knockouts. Bautista has fought 32 times and has a 30-2 record with 23 knockouts.
Meanwhile, promising 19-year-old Jason Pagara expects to extend his knockout streak to six by sending Mexican Juan Carlos Gallegos to the canvas.
?I have trained hard. This is my first time to fight a Mexican. I have developed my straight. I think I will knock him out anytime,? he said.
Gallegos was unfazed by Pagara?s threat and issued a warning of his own.
?I came here to fight. I will teach Pagara a lesson.?
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on June 10, 2011.
