Philippines, 04 May 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:

  • Parade of champs
    By Joaquin Henson, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • David Surov outboxes Kevin Martinez at IBA.PRO Russia vs World
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • SHEEHY MAKES MATCHROOM DEBUT AGAINST GONZALEZ IN HOUSTON
    , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • PH chess wizard IM Christian Gian Karlo Arca tops FIDE May 2026 PH Under 20 Junior rankings
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 03 May 2026
  • The Monster Prevails: Inoue Weathers the Storm to Outlast Nakatani
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Benavidez vs. Ramirez: Experts Weigh In Ahead of Blockbuster May 2 Light Heavyweight Clash
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Tsendy Erdenebat Wins Clear-Cut Unanimous Decision over Cobia Breedy in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Coach Ederwin Estavillo is ready
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK: OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND FIGHT NIGHT RUNNING ORDER CONFIRMED FOR WALKER-EGGINGTON
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Cebuano Elmo Traya Eyes WBF World Title in Georgia
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Jeter Promotions Yvgeniy Pavlov on a Championship Track
    , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • 2nd SIGLO 100km Ultramarathon set May 30-31
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Let's Go to San Manuel, Tarlac
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 02 May 2026
  • Inoue vs Nakatani Make Weight, Set for Historic Showdown
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Inoue vs Nakatani & Benavidez vs Ramirez Makes For Blockbuster Saturday
    By Chris Carlson, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Magramo is new PBO super fly champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Blow-By-Blow makes rousing return
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Kyle Amoroto rules China Pool meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Zurdo Ramirez vs Benavidez (Fight Analysis)
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • WOLVERHAMPTON FIGHT WEEK FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE: EVERYTHING THAT WAS SAID AS WALKER AND EGGINGTON GET SET FOR SHOWDOWN
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • VARGAS AND WHITTAKER AIM TO SHINE ON HUGE ZAYAS-BOOTS BROOKLYN STAGE
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Ariza warns don’t underestimate Floyd
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Weights From ‘Erdenebat vs. Breedy’ Event from Live! Casino Hotel Maryland & Broadcast Live on ProBoxTV
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • José "Chegui" Torres Award ceremony on May 2 in Ponce, Puerto Rico
    , Fri, 01 May 2026
  • Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani Look Awesome During Today's Presscon; Ready for Saturday's Historic Tokyo Dome Showdown!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 30 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.