THE TOUTED World Cup showdown between some of the finest punchers from the Philippines and Mexico will no longer take place on local shores.
Reports from Mexico and Los Angeles reveal that Golden Boy Promotions (GBP) is staging the much-awaited duel between reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-bantamweight king Daniel Ponce De Leon and mandatory challenger Rey ‘Boom Boom’ Bautista on August 11 in Sacramento, California.
It had earlier been reported that the Philippines-Mexico collision will take place either in Cebu or Manila and even GBP owner Oscar De La Hoya said he will visit the Philippines following his May 5 bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
De La Hoya was not fortunate to win and that may have a hand in GBP’s decision to move it elsewhere, according to local ringsiders.
Bautista’s chief handler, Tony Aldeguer, confirmed the news that GBP is taking the show to Sacramento, where there is a huge Mexican population.
“I received a letter from (GBP vice president) Eric Gomez about this,” said Aldeguer, the man behind the meteoric rise of Bautista, who is regarded as the most popular Filipino fighter today next to Manny Pacquiao.
In the main supporting bout of the De Leon-Bautista clash, Gerry Pe?alosa will try to dethrone Johnny Gonzalez, the current WBO bantam king.
Aldeguer said that should the Sacramento show is formalized, he will send Bautista to the Wild Card gym to start training “in the middle of June.” Bautista, of course, will be joined by long-time trainer Ala Villamor.
