Philippines, 23 Jan 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Boom Boom?s Blood, Sweat and Tears


PhilBoxing.com




Los Angeles, CA (11/24/08) - It was a terrible night for Filipino boxer Rey "Boom-Boom" Bautista (26-2-0) who was defeated via Unanimous Decision by veteran Mexican fighter Heriberto Ruiz (39-7-2) after eight rounds of a bloody boxing match at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada as undercard for IBO & Ring Junior Welterweight Championship bout between Ricky Hatton and Paulie Malignaggi last Saturday, November 22nd.

Super Bantamweight (122 lbs.) Bautista, who is only 22 years old, suffered his first loss when he was TKO'ed in the first round by Daniel Ponce De Leon in California in August 11, 2007. After that fight, Oscar De La Hoya?s Golden Boy Promotions gave him this chance to make a U.S. comeback fight after defeating Antonio Meza last year then with Genaro Camargo and Eden Marquez earlier this year.

An accidental head butt cut Bautista in his right upper eyelid in the second round, a cut whose bleeding was not effectively controlled, neither by cut man Anthony Martin or his main trainer Edito Villamor, at his corner. The cut was unexpected like the fight's outcome. It was the first time ever Boom Boom had a cut in his entire career. He got knocked down by Ruiz on the 2nd Round. Ruiz was cut in the scalp due to the head butt as well.

As the fight progressed, a bloodied Bautista was never the same. He took a point deduction for low blow in Round 7 yet he kept fighting until the final bell but fell short on majority of the rounds according to the judges' scorecards. Judge Paul Smith scored 73-77; Judge CJ Ross scored it 72-78 while Judge Ricardo Ocasio scored 70-80 ? all in favor of Heriberto Ruiz in the Red Corner.

While it is easy to put blame or point fingers to everyone involved in a boxer?s career including himself, especially when the fighter loses, we can only hope the best for Bautista's future. He needs to do some soul searching and dig deep inside whatever he has to do next. His Team should go back to the drawing board and make necessary changes. He still has a long career ahead and we could still say - rest if you must, but don?t you quit!

Better luck next time!

Top photo: Fighting for survival, a bloodied Boom Boom Bautista clinches on to Ruiz after being knocked down in the 2nd Round. (Photo taken by Dr. Allan Recto)


Referee Robert Byrd making sure Bautista is still fit to continue the fight and tells timekeeper to continue the clock. (Photo taken by Dr. Allan Recto)


Bautista?s cut above caused significant vision impairment making the fight more difficult for him. (Photo taken by Dr. Allan Recto)


Team Ruiz rejoice after announcement of Judges? Unanimous Decision for Heriberto Ruiz. (Photo taken by Dr. Allan Recto)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dr. Allan Recto.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Four Pinoys in line for title shots
    By Joaquin Henson, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • After the meeting in Mexico City, the WBC is ready for 2026
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • Former world title challenger Jerry Belmontes Returns to ring at home after nearly a decade in Retirement on January 31 in Texas
    , Fri, 23 Jan 2026
  • SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT RONNY ALVAREZ TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • STRICKLAND STUNS REYES AS SOUQUET SEALS REDEMPTION | WNT LEGENDS
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Knicks defeats Nets 120-66 to post largest margin of victory in franchise history
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: "We simply urge Zuffa Boxing to respect and protect boxing and the boxer"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • January 31: Xander Zayas-Abass Baraou Junior Middleweight Title Unification Showdown to Stream LIVE on Top Rank Classics FAST Channel in the United States
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • Mike Tyson to Launch “Mike Tyson Invitational,” a Three-Day Amateur Boxing Showcase Aimed at Elevating the Future of American Boxing
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 22 Jan 2026
  • REYES AND BUSTAMANTE DELIVER HOME-SOIL MASTERCLASS | WNT LEGENDS
    , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Reigning World 10-ball Champion Filipino cue master Jonas Magpantay to see action in Indonesia pool tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • OLYMPIC BOXING 7: 1936 OLYMPICS AT BERLIN, GERMANY
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Usyk and Zuffa Boxing Negotiations Update
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 21 Jan 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: Twelve Years Later, Don José is Still With Us
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • Get know “BIG BAD BAZLEY”as he retuns March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • “Jye Chin brings a fight to whoever, whenever and where ever”: Jye Chin ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Tue, 20 Jan 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 18 JANUARY 2026: Nikita Tszyu-Michael Zerafa End in No Contest; Raul Curiel Outpoints Jordan Panthen
    By Eric Armit, , Mon, 19 Jan 2026
  • Ryan Daye ready for WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 19 Jan 2026
  • RAUL “EL CUGÁR” CURIEL CRUISES TO UNANIMOUS DECISION WIN OVER JORDAN “THE PATRIOT” PANTHEN
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • Mexico Commemorates 12th Death Anniversary of Don Jose Sulaiman (Photos)
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • MOLLY McCANN EYES 'HUGE' STATEMENT START TO 2026 AS SHE JOINS BUMPER WOOD-WARINGTON CARD IN NOTTINGHAM ON FEBRUARY 21
    , Sat, 17 Jan 2026
  • NEW MAIN EVENT ANNOUNCED! RAUL CURIEL SCHEDULED TO FACE JORDAN PANTHEN IN MIDDLEWEIGHT SCRAP
    , Fri, 16 Jan 2026
  • SMALLS VS RAMOS TOPS STACKED UNDERCARD FOR NAVARRETE-NUNEZ BLOCKBUSTER IN GLENDALE
    , Fri, 16 Jan 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.