Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista (32-2, 24 KOs), who is coming out fresh from a 6th-round knockout win over previously undefeated Miguel Angel Mendoza (17-1, 17 KOs) of Mexico last December 10th, 2011, has been dreaming of becoming a world champion. The reigning IBF international featherweight once fought for a world championship in August 2007 but fell short after getting blitzed by former world champion Daniel Ponce de Leon in the very first round.
Currently perched at the 5th spot by the International Boxing Federation, Bautista?s chances of fighting for a world title will exponentially increase if he fights and wins in an eliminator fight. According to Ray Wheatley, supervisor for the IBF, Bautista might fight for an eliminator within the next 12 months.
Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista (left)
One year is a long time and it might take the Filipino slugger around three to four fights before he eventually lands a title match with IBF champion. Although good things happen to those who wait, many boxing observers believed that Bautista has been waiting long enough.
And there is one potential and definitely shorter route to take for Bautista and his team ? go up in weight and fight a beltholder in the super featherweight division. That is, if the rumors are true.
According to an inside information relayed to this writer, reigning WBA super featherweight champion Chris John (46-0, 22 KOs) wants to defend his crown in March next year in Singapore. However, John and his team are still looking for possible opponents.
WBA super featherweight titlist Chris John
If indeed the information proves to be correct, Bautista might just have the opportunity to position himself in a world title fight. John is a huge name in the super featherweight division and has beaten the likes of Rocky Juarez and Juan Manuel Marquez, although his win over Dinamita is considered to be controversial.
Bautista versus John in March 2012? That could be a potentially good world title fight. But unless the rumors evolve into facts and contracts are signed and sealed, then nothing is certain.
