Philippines, 24 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


FIRST LOSS NOW ENCOURAGES BOOM BOOM


PhilBoxing.com




Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista was disappointed right after the stunning loss at the hands of WBO superbantamweight ruler Daniel Ponce de Leon during the recent Boxing World Cup when he gave the Philippines its only loss during the encounter with arch-rival Mexico in Sacramento, California, United States last August 11.

Ponce de Leon proved to be more physically powerful, knocking down the Filipino challenger twice in the first round forcing the referee to end the bout with just 2 minutes and 30 seconds had elapsed for the fight.

The scheduled battle with Antonio ?Barrio? Meza on December 2 at the Araneta Coliseum will be his comeback fight after the heart-breaking loss. ?The preparations are going very well. I am training harder right now because I am coming off from my first loss. I am determined to be back,? declared Bautista.

Despite his first defeat, the Boholano warrior believes he still has what it takes to become the next Filipino world champion. ?I am determined to recover. I will show them that I?m still here and very hungry for a victory that?s why I prepared very well for the encounter with Meza,? asserted Bautista.


Photo above shows the author with Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista during a visit at the ALA Gym in Cebu. (Photo by Mabel Samaco).

Meza has likewise thoroughly prepared himself in his training camp in Mexico City under the vigilance of his trainer, the former world champion Edgar ?Tuntun? Cardenas. The Mexican admitted that it?s going to be a difficult fight and he should go for a knockout in order to win convincingly.

The 25-year-old Meza is a southpaw and hails from Mexicali in Mexico, although he was born in Ciudad Obregon, in Sonora Province. He is the Federaci?n de Comisiones de Box de la Rep?blica Mexicana (Fecombox) champion. The fight with Boom Boom will be for the WBO Inter-Continental super bantamweight title.

A first loss is always harsh for a fighter, and it pained Bautista even more because he was the only loser during the World Cup and it was no less than the main event. ?He has fully recovered from the great setback and is anxiously waiting to go back to the winners? circle again,? said his trainer Edito ?Ala? Villamor.

Manny Pacquiao will always be an inspiration, having suffered a setback in the early days of his boxing career and had since then learned a lot from the KO loss at the hands of Rustico Torrecampo in February 1996. He came back stronger and more determined, winning the WBC flyweight title and the IBF superbantamweight crown.

The 21-year-old Boom Boom now has a professional record of 23-1 (17 KOs) while Meza is 23-3 (16 KOs). Bautista is pushing himself more and assured the fans to climb the ring this time a different fighter learning from past mistakes.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Into fights for IBA championship on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Camigue fights in Tanzania on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Team USA Captures Three More Wins on Day Three at World Boxing Cup – Stage 1
    , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • 1,400 runners in Sagisag Davao Leg
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • The Marvelous Cup Invitational tourney set
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 24 Apr 2026
  • Junior Middleweights Currently The Hottest Division In Boxing!
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • All Star Boxing Announces 'Clash of the Unbeaten' on May 22nd In Panama
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • Oliver Laroya Chess Tournament on April 25
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero and Undefeated Rising Prospect Robert Guerrero Jr. to Appear at 3rd Annual Battle of the Trades on April 25
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • WBC WORLD CHAMPION DALTON SMITH SIGNS NEW LONG-TERM CONTRACT EXTENSION WITH EDDIE HEARN’S MATCHROOM BOXING
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team Swept Day Two of World Boxing Cup - Stage 1
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • FAELDONIA & NGO RULE STA. FE, ROMBLON, TABLAS OPEN CHESS TOURNAMENT
    , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Chess Philippines heads to Okada, Manila
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 23 Apr 2026
  • May 16: Kelvin Davis-Peter Dobson Welterweight Clash & Yan Santana-Cristian Cruz Featherweight Battle Added to Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II Card LIVE on DAZN
    , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • World Super Flyweight contender John ‘Scrappy’ Ramirez waiting for Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez’ final decision
    , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • Former champ Lawrence Okolie tested positive in VADA testing
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • Salim Ellis-Bey Secures Win for Team USA on Day One of World Boxing Cup - Stage 1
    , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • Garcia, Young, Gatus banner tough field in 20th Philippine Xiangqi Open Tournament on May 1
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 22 Apr 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION APRIL 20 APRIL 2026: Baumgardner Outpoints Shin, Retains IBF/WBA/WBO 130 Lb Titles; Daniels Stops Green in 9; Lorente SD Collins in WBC Welter Eliminator
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • ​Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: A Year of Memories Between the Ring and Faith
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • High Stakes in Ufa: Subkhankulov and Usmonov Clash for IBF #2 Spot
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Elorde Jr. is new PBF president
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Ancajas wins 1st bout as feather
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Ito knockouts Lerasan in 1st round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 21 Apr 2026
  • Kristian ‘KP’ Prenga developing into Albanian heavyweight boxing GOAT
    , Tue, 21 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.