Philippines, 19 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:

  • Suslenkov knocks out Mann to headline explosive IBA Pro 16 night in Serpukhov
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • AJ Manas off to a hot start in Indonesia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • Camila Zamorano WBC female champion health update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • PH Athletics team shines in the 2026 Singapore Open Track and Field Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • JESSE RODRIGUEZ CHALLENGES ANTONIO VARGAS FOR WBC BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD TITLE IN GLENDALE ON JUNE 13
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS AND PHOTOS FROM SD FIGHT NIGHT: FAMILY BUSINESS - TOMORROW, APRIL 18 AT FRONTWAVE ARENA IN OCEANSIDE, CALIF.
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • OFFICIAL ‘REVOLUTION’ WEIGHTS FROM CORK, IRELAND
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • MIKHAIL GRIGORYAN DEFEATS JEO SANTISIMA, CROWNED NEW IBF ASIA LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION IN SERPUKHOV
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • Ra’eese Aleem Vows Victory Over Angelo Leo Ahead of May 9th IBF Title Fight in Atlanta
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • WCM Nika Juris Nicolas 10th in Serbia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • JESSE ‘BAM’ RODRIGUEZ PENS LONG TERM EXTENSION WITH EDDIE HEARN AND MATCHROOM
    , Sat, 18 Apr 2026
  • Hermie Rivera: A Fil-Am Original
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AS BEN WHITTAKER TAKES ON BRAIAN SUAREZ – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Lerasan to fight for WBO Asian Pacific bantam title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Fuentes is now ready to fight in Juego Todo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • LIVERPOOL FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL AS WHITTAKER GETS READY FOR TOUGH SUAREZ TEST – LIVE ON DAZN
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Ancajas to fight as feather against Garcia on April 18
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • MVP presents Delgado-Artiga by WBA superflyweight championship on June 13 in Orlando
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Mexican legend Miguel Canto passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • King Lovick Monteadora to see action in 2026 Hainan Taekwondo Open
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Quiñonero suffers injury, cancels debut in Juego Todo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: A Great Night of Boxing in Japan
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • FOSTER DEFENDS WORLD SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST FORD IN HOUSTON ON MAY 30
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Tickets ON SALE NOW for Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II at Norfolk’s Scope Arena
    , Fri, 17 Apr 2026
  • Nothing But Sportz and Ronald Johnson’s Dream Team Foundation to Donate 500 Tickets to Miami Youth for Historic May 2 Fight Night
    , Fri, 17 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.