MANILA, Philippines – Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista (32-2, 24KOs) has vowed to put on a show his Boholano fans will not forget when he defends his IBF International featherweight title against Mexican toughie Gernaro ?Poblanito?.
Garcia (37-8, 21KO) in the main event of the ?Pinoy Pride XII:Bakbakan sa Bohol? on March 3 at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex in Tagbilaran City.
During the formal launch of the mega-boxing event Monday at MAYA Mexican Restaurant, Bautista said he?s very excited to once again show his stuff before his ?paisanos? (townmates) and that he will give his best shot so as not to let them down.
The pride of Candijay, Bohol last saw action in his hometown seven years ago, scoring a spectacular second round knockout of Tanzanian Obote Ameme to snare the WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight belt at the CPG Sports Complex.
?I trained hard for this fight because I will be fighting before my hometown fans. I promise to give them a good show that they won?t forget,? said Bautista.
But for sure it won?t be an easy task for the 25-year-old Bautista as he will square off against Garcia, a grizzled veteran who has already fought several world champions. The Mexican even boasts of a victory over former two-division world titlist Rafael Marquez.
?This is really a big test for Boom Boom because he?s up against a very tough opponent. This will determine what level he?s in now,? said ALA Boxing Gym chief strategist Edito Villamor.
With regards to a possible world title shot if he gets past Garcia, ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said they are not taking things in stride.
?There?s no rush for that. We want to build up his confidence first. Let?s just wait and see how he performs against Garcia,? said Aldeguer. ?Even if he?s already 34 years old, Garcia can always be dangerous.?
In the supporting bouts of the slambang event bankrolled by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, rising super bantamweight star Genesis ?Azukal? Servania (16-0, 5KOs) will stake his unbeaten record against Kenyan Nick Otieno (21-7, 9KOs), while reigning WBO Asia-Pacific Youth light welterweight champion Jayson ?El Ni?o? Pagara (27-2, 16KOs) will go up against a still undetermined opponent.
The rest of the card features Mark Acub of Antique vs. Freddie Martinez of Manila; Juren Labordo of Bacolod vs. Jessie Dignos of Mandaue; Michael Domingo of Sultan Kudarat vs. Marvin Tampus of Bato, Leyte; Jimmy Paypa of Mandaue vs. Roel Peligro of Butuan; Rey Morales of Bacolod vs. Jordan Catubay of Mabolo; and Pedro Balaba of Tagbilaran vs. Jerome Casas of Mandaue. ? Emmanuel Villaruel Freeman News Service
