TAGBILARAN CITY – What was supposed to be Rey ?Boom-Boom? Bautista?s toughest test in recent years turned out to be a bust after another Genaro Garcia flew in from Mexico to face him last Saturday night.
The 25-year-old hometown boxing hero?s homecoming was spoiled after his scheduled 10-round non-title bout with Garcia turned out to be a joke and was jeered by the Boholano fans in attendance in the ?Pinoy Pride 12 – Bakbakan sa Bohol? at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex.
Although Garcia donned the shorts, gloves and shoes of a boxer, he didn?t look anything like one. He was awkward and seemed like he didn?t train for a fight.
As soon as the fans saw Garcia move in the first round, some fans started to hit the exit.
And those who left didn?t miss a thing. Garcia threw some punches but they didn?t seem to have some pop in them and most of them hit air.
Even Bautista seemed to show pity on his opponent and hesitated to throw punches at the Mexican in the first round.
But in the second round, Bautista finally ended the bout by knocking him out in the 1:24 mark.
The Genaro Garcia that came here to the Philippines was not the one who was called ?Poblanito,? and has fought eight world champions and has figured in three world title fights. That Garcia owns a fearsome 38-8, 22KO record while the one who arrived was a patsy named ?Panterita? with a 10-11 record, which dropped to 10-12.
?The Garcia they sent here wasn?t the Garcia that I was supposed to fight. But I still chose to continue to show everyone that Boholanos are brave,? said a disappointed Bautista, who improved to 33-2 with 24 KOs. ?I want to fight here again and inspire people with my fights.?
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer hopes to get Bautista to face the real Genaro Garcia in May, possibly back in Bohol.
Aldeguer said that they are writing the Mexican Boxing Commission about this issue and plan to talk with agent Victor Hugo Correa, their contact in Mexico for Genaro Garcia.
?We are taking legal action against the person behind this act of deceit. Integrity, which we have upheld for decades, is of utmost importance to ALA Promotions as we owe all this to our TV network partner, our sponsors and most importantly, to the public,? Aldeguer said in an official statement.
The lackluster main event of the boxing show that was made free to the public was sort of saved by an action-packed main supporting bout, in which Genesis Servania?s (17-0, 6 KOs) aggression and persistence earned him a unanimous decision nod over tough Kenyan veteran Nick Otieno (21-8, 9 KOs).
Servania dictated the offense most of the fight and convinced all three judges with scores of 99-91, 99-91 and 98-92.
Jason Pagara (28-2, 17 KOs) had a successful ring return as he breezed through Indonesian Frans Yarangga (10-2-1, 7 KOs) via a second round technical knockout. The fight was stopped in the 2:41 mark after Yarangga was sent to the canvass thrice.
Experienced pug Michael Domingo?s (44-16-2, 23 KOs) hopes of a world title shot was kept alive after a stunning first round knockout over Marvin Tampus (27-15-2, 18 KOs).
The 32-year-old Domingo timed a vicious left uppercut that sent Tampus to the canvass grimacing in pain. Tampus was unable get back to his feet and was counted out in the 1:28 mark. Domingo is scheduled to face former world champion Joseph Agbeko on May 26 in Ghana for the vacant International Boxing Organization bantamweight title.
