SAN DIEGO – Since coming over here in the United States early this December to prepare for today’s fight, God knows how many times Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista wanted to feast on a meal after a long day’s training.
But he just can’t. Not when his trainers are keeping an eagle eye on his smallish 120 pounds.
But now that the Rey had passed the weigh-in with flying colors, Bautista’s food restriction ban had been lifted. I don’t know when, but Rey couldn’t care less.
Exiting the double doors of the Showcase Theater at Sycuan and Resort Casino, Boom-Boom went straight to the facility’s eat-all-you-can buffet and he ate with so much impunity that his handlers worried of a stomach ache.
Fried rice, deep-fried chicken, Turkey, roasted chicken, lumpia shanghia, beef with broccoli, wonton noodles, ice tea, and orange juice, were among the treats that Rey had. He went back for several helpings, maybe five times. And if he had ever went for a sixth time, I think the manager was just about ready to call the police.
GOOD SEATS. As promised, Mike Marley, vice president for entertainment at the Sycuan Resort and Casino, handed me my fight credentials yesterday. The seat assigned to me isn’t good. It’s fabulous, an arm’s length from the ring apron.
Part of the perks given to me was free valet parking for the giant SUV that I rented while I’m here. It’s the same car Tiger Woods endorses and it’s really wonderful.
ALWAYS LATE. Our beloved Philippine Airlines (PAL) shouldn’t sulk for being notoriously late with its service. Even United Airlines, acknowledge as the best in the industry, has its dog days.
Flying out of Chicago to San Francisco yesterday, flight 842 was unfashionably late it was annoying. Boarding was punctual at 7 a.m., but we just sat there in the runway for one hour and a half waiting for “clearance.”
When I arrived in San Francisco for my connecting flight to San Diego, flight 071 was delayed for two hours and 19 minutes. This time the fog got in the way. (HDS)
