Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista is confident of defeating WBO superbantamweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon of Mexico in their scheduled 12-round title bout in Sacramento on Aug. 11 and said yesterday losing is not an option in what he called a do-or-die situation.
ALA boxing stable owner Tony Aldeguer, whose son Michael is Bautista’s manager, told The Star he spoke with Bautista on the phone and was assured the fighter is ready for war.
Bautista and Ponce de Leon are headlining Golden Boy’s World Cup card featuring six fights between Filipinos and Mexicans. At stake is the $500,000 diamond-studded World Cup trophy symbolic of a country’s supremacy in pro boxing. Mexico beat Thailand in the first World Cup dual meet two years ago.
Bautista left for Los Angeles to train at the Wild Card Gym for Ponce de Leon last June 22. He’s been busy sparring with southpaws Gerry Pe?alosa and Puerto Rican Ricky Quiles to prepare for the Mexican lefthander. Freddie Roach will be in his corner for the WBO title bout.
Although Bautista turned only 21 last month, Aldeguer said the time has come for him to prove himself against a fighter of Ponce de Leon’s caliber.
“It’s not a matter of age,” said Aldeguer from his Cebu office. “Maturity is what counts. I think Boom Boom is mentally and physically ready for Ponce de Leon. His defining moment was when he got up from a knockdown to beat (Gerardo) Espinoza two years ago. That showed his heart. Then, he also got hurt by (Sergio) Medina but recovered to knock him down and win.”
Aldeguer pointed out that fighters like Wilfred Benitez and Ben Villaflor won their world crowns in their teens so age is not a factor in some cases.
Aldeguer said there is a parallel between the Ponce de Leon-Bautista fight and the recent bout where Nonito Donaire upset Vic Darchinyan for the IBF flyweight crown.
“Darchinyan beat up guys who were smaller and moving up in weight but met his match in Donaire who’s a natural superflyweight,” noted Aldeguer. “I don’t think Ponce de Leon is used to fighting legitimate 122-pounders like Boom Boom. One of his challengers, Gerson Guerrero, was knocked out in two rounds but he’s just a superflyweight. I wouldn’t have agreed for Boom Boom to fight Ponce de Leon if I didn’t think he had a chance to win. In the same way, I wouldn’t agree for Boom Boom to fight (WBC champion) Rafael Marquez at the moment because he isn’t ready for someone like him yet.”
Aldeguer said Bautista’s mindset is “patay kung patay” and he’s raring to let it all hang out in the ring.
“It’s always been his dream to fight for the world title and the opportunity has come,” said Aldeguer. “He’s been waiting for Ponce de Leon. Remember that Boom Boom has fought six fights in the US. That gave me the confidence to let him go against Ponce de Leon. It won’t be an easy fight. Ponce de Leon is tough and Boom Boom must be at his best to win.”
Aldeguer said there will be no excuses if Bautista loses.
“This is his chance,” said Aldeguer. “Some people criticize Boom Boom because he gets hit. But Manny Pacquiao gets hit, too. Fans pay to watch fighters like (Arturo) Gatti because he doesn’t back down and gets hit in the process. It’s the same with Boom Boom. You won’t get hit if you run away and Boom Boom likes to engage. It’s what makes him exciting to watch.”
As for rising superflyweight star A. J. Banal who takes on former WBC lightflyweight titlist Eric Ortiz in the undercard, Aldeguer said the unbeaten Bohol teenager is in top shape.
“We’re not pushing A. J.,” said Aldeguer. “I think Ortiz is on the way down. He was knocked out by a lightflyweight (Brian Viloria) and now, he’s up against a superflyweight. This is a good test for A. J. because he’s fighting a veteran and a former world champion. I never like to protect fighters. I would rather put them to the test. Unfortunately, sometimes, it’s difficult to find willing quality opponents.”
Another ALA fighter Czar Amonsot battles unbeaten Australian Michael Katsidis for the WBO lightweight title in the undercard of the Bernard Hopkins-Winky Wright main event in Las Vegas on Sunday morning (Manila time).
