BAD BLOOD is slowly developing between main protagonists Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista of the Philippines and Antonio Meza of Mexico.
During yesterday?s press conference at the PICC for Sunday?s slugfest at the Araneta Coliseum, Bautista lashed back at Meza, who said through an interpreter that he did not take a long flight from his hometown of Mexicali to lie down and die.
“I am always in great shape for a fight,” said Meza through manager cum interpreter Fernando Dominguez. “I respect Bautista but once we climb the ring, it?s going to be different.”
Told about Meza?s strong claims, Bautista said he is also in terrific shape and is raring to get it on in this much-awaited defense of his World Boxing Organization Intercontinental super-bantamweight crown.
“I am hungry for a victory because I was terribly hurt when I lost my last fight (against Daniel Ponce De Leon last August),” said Bautista. “I am aching to get back on track.”
“If he (Meza) says that he trained long and hard in the mountains, I can also say that I did the same. I also come from the mountains,” added Bautista, who is headlining the card dubbed ?Payback,” a joint effort between former PBA commissioner Noli Eala, TV tycoon Tonyboy Cojuangco, marketing man Eric Tagle and Tagbilaran (Bohol) Mayor Dan Neri Lim.
Also taking the spotlight were the other Filipinos seeing action in the undercard led by super-fly prospect AJ Banal and Mexican foe Jovanny Soto apart from the two other matchups involving Filipinos against foreign opponents.
In a duel for the WBO Aspac mini-fly title, champion Milan Melindo of the Philippines meets Jack Amisa of Indonesia while Philippine bantam king Michael Domingo clashes with Anthony Mathias of Tanzania.
Also making heads turn was lady ring announcer Amy Hayes, who will make the introductions not only during fight day but during Training Day at Market Market Mall this afternoon.
Hayes will also be present during the official weigh-in at Gateway Mall tomorrow at 10 a.m.
There?ll be five other fights on tap with the first bell sounding at 9 a.m.
