If getting numerous fight offers and having countless followers are gauges to stardom, then Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista should be a superstar.
After his widely-publicized win Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, various groups and individuals have come out offering to stage the Boholano champion’s next fight.
Bautista’s manager, Antonio Aldeguer, said promoters from Manila and Bohol have sent him feelers. The City Governments of Cebu and Mandaue are also interested in hosting Buatista’s title defense of his WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight title.
The Candijay, Bohol native was even scheduled to headline a Las Vegas card on Oct. 7, which Aldeguer had to call off to give his ward time to rest after undergoing a grinding training that started Aug. 3 in the US.
Give him space
“We need to give him breathing space. The date is too close. He is eager to go home and he is very excited to see the house he built for his family,” Aldeguer said.
His exploits in the ring last Sunday, which saw him knock out Colombia’s Felix Flores-Murillo in three rounds, also caught the eye of big-time promoters Bob Arum of Top Rank and Gary Shaw. Another promoter interested to sign up the Boholano wonder is Guilty Boxing.
Aldeguer admits it’s a tough decision.
“If I had it my way, I would like to hold the fight in Bohol, where Rey will defend his belt,” Aldeguer said. “The Boholano officials are pooling their resources to have the fight of Bautista staged there.
“But I still don’t know what will happen next. Maybe we can fight in the undercard of Vitali Klitschko and Hasim Rachman in November.
Pacquiao undercard
“Manila is very interested to have Bautista fight there, which is also good since this will expose Rey further to national television so that he will gain more supporters, aside from the Cebuanos and the Boholanos.”
Another potential scenario is Bautista fighting in a Manny Pacquiao undercard on Jan. 12, during the rematch of Pacquiao and the Mexican Erik Morales.
“Right now we are not eyeing any world title. I want Rey to gain more experience, to be exposed more and fight different kinds of boxers,” Aldeguer said.
Bautista’s popularity has also extended beyond the boxing community.
On Oct. 2, Bautista will be among the guests of honor during the opening of the Philippine Basketball Association Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.
At his arrival in Cebu yesterday, people easily recognized him at the airport and when he arrived at the City Sports Club of Cebu, where Aldeguer hosted a hastily-called press conference.
Diners greeted and congratulated Bautista for his outstanding performance – most of them women.
Accompanied by his trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor and promoter Sammy Gello-ani, Bautista also paid a visit to the Cebu City Hall yesterday, where he was greeted warmly by employees and city officials.
But his loudest cheers are yet to be heard.
Bohol officials, led by Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim, have reportedly prepared a hero’s welcome once the New Generation ALA Boy arrives in Tagbilaran today.
Bands, banners and confetti await the 19-year-old sensation as he will be paraded around the city before making a courtesy call on City Hall and Provincial Capitol officials.
Bohol Gov. Erico Aumentado, who is currently with President Gloria Arroyo in New York, has even personally asked for an audience with Bautista once the governor returns on Sept. 19.
Bautista’s promise
After his sorties in Tagbilaran, Bautista’s party will proceed to his hometown where Candijay Mayor Sergio Amora Jr. has also prepared a feast for his arrival.
“My promise to myself is to become a world champion. I will continue to train hard to achieve that goal. I am not going to frustrate my manager, my promoter, my trainer, my family, my supporters and my country,” Bautista said.
