LOS ANGELES – Against the backdrop of Hollywood’s famous spotlight, ALA sensation Rey Boom “Boom Bautista” easily made weight for his superbantamweight showdown today against Nicaraguan Roberto Bonilla at the Staples Center.
Stripped down to his black underwear, the 19-year-old from Candijay, Bohol looked impossibly fit. He tipped the scales at an impressive 121 ? pounds, shedding all of the extra meat that had previously lumped his powerful frame following nearly five months of inactivity.
The pony-tailed Bonilla, who is a little shorter than the 5-foot-7 Bautista, weighed in at an even 121lb, although he didn’t come across as physically imposing. Bautista and Bonilla will slug it out in the undercard of the Marco Antonio Barrera-Rocky Juarez superfeatherweight championship tiff.
Promoter Oscar Dela Hoya, garbed in stonewashed jeans, a pair of striped brown long sleeves and black leather shoes, graced yesterday’s weigh-in with his illustrious presence. Wading past a thick crowd of admirers, Oscar was clearly a star to the pro-Hispanic crowd, and he played the part with gusto.
Blinking through a steady flicker of camera flash bulbs, the Golden Boy signed autographs, tickled babies, posed for photos and gave handshakes that were as tight as his resolve. He laughed, he smiled, and he was having fun. He even mouthed a little pep talk to Bautista when they got to within whispering distance.
At a press conference held on Thursday, Dela Hoya had generous words to say about Bautista, who recently inked a five-fight promotional deal with Golden Boy Promotions. Dela Hoya described Boom Boom as “a tremendous puncher and a great boxer. He is hungry to be the next Manny Pacquiao and is learning the game.”
But all the hoopla of a Golden Boy Promotions event is apparently no big deal for Boom Boom.
Unmindful of the sea of humanity that had gathered at the Anita C Room of the Westin Bonaventure Hotel, Boom Boom proudly flexed his muscles, gave the adoring crowd a confident gaze, before staring down his foe like a hungry wolf eyeing at a marked prey.
“The international spotlight doesn’t faze Boom Boom anymore, and that is why he exudes a lot confidence,” said Sammy Gello-ani of Team Bautista. “It’s his fourth fight here in the United States, one in Hawaii, one in San Diego and now the second time here at Staples Center,” added trainer Edito Villamor.
“Okay ra ko (I feel good),” said Bautista as he stepped down the podium. He says he’s excited to let go of his punches after holding back for months now.
The huge crowd expected to show up at the arena will definitely not intimidate Rey, “Mas maayo hinuon nang daghan tawo kay laay i-away kung walay manan-aw (It’s better to fight before a big crowd than boxing before an empty arena).”
After making weight, Boom Boom joined his trainer Edito Villamor, fellow pug Z Gorres and Team Bautista supporters Pex and Marilyn Aves for a sumptuous dinner at Manila Goodah, a Filipino restaurant in Vermont St where Boom Boom feasted on pancit bihon, fried tilapia, chicken barbecue and lechon manok.
Game 6 of the Spurs-Mavs West conference semis was blazing when Boom Boom came back to his hotel room. But he wasn’t interested with NBA hoops just now. For the young Boholano, the moment belongs only to tomorrow’s date with destiny.
Moments before the clock read 9 p.m., California time, it was lights out in Room 1120 of the historic Westin Bonaventure here in LALA-land.
