SAN DIEGO – “This is his toughest test so far. We’ll soon find out whether he has it or not.”
Those words by ALA stable owner Antonio L. Aldeguer pretty much sums up the magnitude of today’s fight between rising sensation Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista and Mexican slugger Gerardo Espinoza at the Sycuan Resort and Casino here in southern California.
Bautista versus Espinoza will be held at Sycuan Resort’s cozy and state-of-the-art Showcase Theater. All 500 seats for $50 each have long been sold.
Knockout
“It’s going to be a good fight. Somebody’s going to knockout somebody here,” offered Michael Koncz, Bautista’s business manager and agent in the US.
True indeed, both pugs pack enough firepower to start a civil war. Espinoza has struggled as of late, his loses piling to a total of nine as of last count. But that doesn’t mean he is not dangerous. Of Espinoza’s 26 wins, 24 have come via KO.
Bautista, on the other hand, has an unblemished record. He is fast climbing in the rankings, thanks to a raw power that hadn’t been seen since Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez ruled the division with his two-fisted rage.
Bautista is 18-0 with 14 KOs. Of his 18 fights, 14 didn’t last the distance.
The Mexican holds a steep three-inch advantage over the 5-foot-6 Filipino. But Edito Villamor, Rey’s chief trainer, sees only a little problem, “Taas siya unya kusog pa gyud, pero medyo hinay lang.” (He is tall and strong, but he is somewhat slow).
Bautista will bring the fight to Espinoza, using his blinding speed to avoid the Mexican’s lethal blows. They will soften the foe’s belly, suggested Villamor. But just as important for Bautista, says Villamor, is to avoid the jab.
