MANILA – Despite a third-round stoppage of Nicaraguan Roberto Bonilla, new boxing sensation Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista yesterday said he is not in a hurry to get a crack at a world crown.
The 19-year-old fighter from Candijay, Bohol said he will follow the advice of manager Tony Aldeguer to have at least two more fights before trying to wrest the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-bantamweight title from Daniel Ponce de Leon.
“I still have a lot to learn. That’s why I agreed with my manager I should not be in a hurry,” said Bautista at the Scoop Forum in Malate.
Aldeguer, who appeared at the forum along with Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim, said Bautista’s fight against Mexican Alejandro Montiel in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Oscar Larios 12-round fight on July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum is one of the two he arranged for his wards.
“Boom-Boom is a good fighter, no doubt about it, but let us not get carried away by his recent victory in the United States. We all know and Freddie Roach knows it too. He has a lot to learn,” said Aldeguer.
Bautista just arrived from the US, where he stopped Bonilla in the third round of the undercard of the Marco Barrera-Rocky Juarez world super-featherweight championship at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California last week.
Follow-up
Bautista’s recent victory is a fitting follow-up to his spectacular third-round knockout win over Felix Flores in Las Vegas, Nevada last year.
“If he hurdles Montiel, I want him to fight one more time then maybe I will consider him challenging Daniel Ponce for the WBO crown,” said Aldeguer.
Aldeguer earlier struck a deal with Golden Boy Promotions of Oscar Dela Hoya to handle at least six fights for Bautista in the US.
“We have a deal with Oscar Dela Hoya for at least six fights. That’s why we are not in hurry. Besides, Boom-Boom himself knows he is not yet ready for bigger fights in his career,” Aldeguer said.
Bautista, who is undefeated in 25 professional bouts, 15 by knockout, currently trains at Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles.
“I learned from coach Roach not to be too aggressive and of course, defense,” said Bautista.
Manila welcome
Meanwhile, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza welcomed Bautista yesterday during a courtesy call at Manila City Hall.
“The third Filipino boxing hero today deserves Manila’s best,” said Atienza.
Atienza said that Manilans are very proud of Bautista’s third-round KO win over Bonilla.
“Manila is very proud and the entire Filipino nation is very grateful,” Atienza said.
Bautista, the current World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion, thanked Atienza and Manile?os over the reception.
Also on hand to welcome Bautista were Manila 3rd district Rep. Miles Roces and Presidential Assistant on Youth and Sports Ali Atienza, also the chairman of the Manila Sports Council.
