TAGBILIRAN, Bohol — There’s practically no chance for the championship fight to go the 12-round distance.
Hometown fans and a scramble of local scribes, in fact, wanted to know from Rey “BoomBoom” Bautista, their youthful idol, at what exact point he plans to dispose of his mysterious African challenger.
But before Bautista could reply, Obote “Thunder” Ameme, who goes for the World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight crown tonight, beat BoomBoom to the microphone.
The mandatory challenger declared he would knock out the champion in two quick rounds during yesterday’s weigh-in cum press conference at the plush Island Mall here.
Stunned, all Bautista could do was explain he planned to finish off the African inside four.
If the African is still on his feet by then, Bautista said what he would do next has to remain a secret.
It’s no secret, but not too many fans don’t know Bautista could’ve earned a fortune had he agreed to stage this second defense of his regional title at the Araneta Coliseum.
Bautista opted for a smaller purse–P250,000–because he wanted to fight here and bring joy to his fellow Boholanos, explained his discoverer and manager, Tony Aldeguer.
Bautista, 18 and slightly taller than his foe, is a solid favorite over the 27-year-old Obote, a quietly menacing warrior who has knocked out all but five of his 27 victims.
But because the Bautista (17-0, 13 KOs) is also known for his power and fierceness inside the ring, it would come as a big surprise if no stoppage were registered in the main bout.
“Don’t be surprised if the companion big bout steals the thunder from the main event,” said broadcaster Ronnie Nathanielsz, whose Viva outfit will show the championship on RPN-9 starting at 1 p.m. tomorrow.
Another local boy, 20-year-old Caesar Amonsot, tries to snatch the WBO Aspac 130-lb crown from Indon Victor Mausol in the companion mainer.
Bautista was a shade under at 117 lbs but Obote, who showed up at 119 lbs, finally made 118 only after an hour under the sun.
Pampanga-based Bruce McTavish, a New Zealander with 137 title bouts behind him, will officiate the Bautista-Obote duel, while the competent Tedy Alivio of Cebu works the Mausol-Amonsot bout.
Tagbilaran Mayor Dan Neri Lim repeated they were out for history, not profit, in what’s billed as the biggest sports offering in the history of Bohol.
Lim said all senior citizens will not be charged a single cent.
