Philippines, 26 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


BAUTISTA ENTERS SPARRING PHASE FOR 'PAYBACK'


PhilBoxing.com


CEBU CITY -- Boholano boxing sensation Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista has just entered the most exacting and crucial stage of his preparation with thrice-a-week sparring sessions at the ALA Gym here.

Bautista is gearing up for his December 2 bout with Antonio "Barrio" Meza at the Araneta Coliseum headlining the blockbuster "Payback" card promoted by "Third Force Promotion," a consortium of well-known businessmen from Manila.

The 21-year-old Bautista will be defending his WBO Inter-Continental superbantam title against the Mexicali, Mexico native.

"He has so far sparred 16 rounds against Leon Maratas. We're keeping him busy," said ALA Gym chief trainer Edito 'Ala' Villamor in an interview yesterday.

The Cebu-based fighter is aching to redeem himself from the shock first-round knockout loss at the hands of WBO superbantam champion Daniel Ponce De Leon in the main bout of the recent World Cup held in Sacramento, California.

"I am as determined as ever. I'd like to thank the fans for their continued support. In my next fight, I'll make sure I wont make the same mistakes I made in the De Leon fight," enthused the baby-faced Tagbilaran City native.

Meza, who holds the WBC Fecombox superbantam title, has reportedly gone up to the mountains of Mexico to prepare for the hard-punching Bautista in what is shaping up to be a highly-anticipated showdown.

The 24-year-old southpaw Mexican, who is riding high on a five-bout winning streak, parades a 23-2 win-loss record with 16 KO's.

Supporting the Bautista-Meza tiff is the 12-round confrontation between undefeated young phenom AJ Banal who will go up against Mexican Jovanny Soto.


Banal, the 18-year-old boy wonder from Ermita, Cebu, will be fighting his fourth Mexican opponent thus far, after notching wins against Juan Alberto Rosas, Jorge Cardenas and Esau Gaona.

"The way he's been beating the Mexicans, this boy Banal is fast becoming the worst nightmare for Latino fighters," said a boxing fan who saw Banal spar the other day against Z "The Dream" Gorres.

RP bantamweight champion Michael Domingo will also take on Tanzanian Anthony Mathias, while RP flyweight boss Rocky Fuentes takes on Baguio City's Javier Malulan in a non-title showdown.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • PHOTOS: Pacquiao Showcases Vintage Form During Media Day Workout at Wildcard Gym
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: Christian Mbilli & Maciej Sulecki Collide for Interim Super Middleweight World Title FRIDAY in Quebec City
    , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Rivas vs Wada: Battle for Women’s OPBF Supremacy Today in Japan
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Mexican boxing icon Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez Respects Cuban fighters & rivalry
    , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Claressa Shields Partners with King Moore to Empower Detroit Youth with the “Follow Your Dreams” Program Presented by SMT Financial Partners
    , Thu, 26 Jun 2025
  • Saturday’s title defense vs. Yuniel Dorticos could be prelude to mega-fight for Gilberto Ramirez against Jake Paul or Unification showdown with Jay Opetaia or Badou Jack
    , Wed, 25 Jun 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 25 June 2025: Norman Flattens Sasaki; Simsri Edges Araneta; Rodriguez Outpoints Yafai
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • FM Daluz rules 7th AQ Prime FIDE Standard Open chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Ancajas awaits call to join card
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Macado fights Dulayba in Venue 88
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • “Showtime” Shea Willcox & Rich Allen turned in KO Performances
    , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Undefeated prospect Marco Romero To be showcased on Deontay Wilder PPV card this Friday night in Wichita
    , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Toro Promotions. Inc. to promote its First International pro boxing show in El Salvador on September 20th
    , Tue, 24 Jun 2025
  • Oklahoma Completes Dream Season; Whips Indiana in Game 7, 103-91 for First NBA Title in Thunder Era
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 23 Jun 2025
  • Japanese Boxer Jin Sasaki Suffers Memory Loss Following Brutal Knockout in WBO Title Fight
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Mon, 23 Jun 2025
  • Toshihiko Era Becomes WBF Asia Champion at Age 50
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 23 Jun 2025
  • Ador Torres, Renato Cha, Lemuel De Barbo and Ivan Ognayon Score KO Wins in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 23 Jun 2025
  • 2025 USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival Concludes with Junior, Youth and Elite Championships
    , Mon, 23 Jun 2025
  • Second Stage of the WBC Boxing Grand Prix Concludes with Great Success: Heavyweight and Featherweight
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • Miel Ticket: Vito Mielnicki Jr. Shuts Out Kamil Gardzielik
    , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • WBC Grand Prix super lightweight results from Riyadh
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • Francisco Rodriguez Jr. Stuns Galal Yafai in Birmingham, Secures Interim WBC Flyweight Title
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • Jesse 'The Little Giant' Espinas Crowned WBC Asia Super Flyweight Champion in Exciting Knockout Victory in China
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • Bantam and Intermediate Champions Crowned on Day Five of USA Boxing Junior Olympics and Summer Festival
    , Sun, 22 Jun 2025
  • Filipinos De Barbo, Ognayon, Cha and Torres in Action in Brico Santig’s Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 21 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.