In another big show of force, Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista of Cebu’s ALA Boxing Gym scored a smashing third round knockout of Nicaraguan Roberto “El Chucky” Bonilla in their scheduled 10-round, non-title bout at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
Bonilla was in fighting mood and ferociously traded punches with Bautista. But the pride of Candijay, Bohol proved too powerful and skillful for the hapless Nicaraguan.
After being deducted a point for a low blow midway in the third round, Bautista came out firing and finished off Bonilla with punishing body shots followed with a solid left uppercut to the chin that sent the Nicaraguan down at the seat of his pants. Referee Pat Russell counted Bonilla out at 2:36.
Bautista, who scored his second straight win at the Staples Center and fourth overall in the US, stretched his unbeaten record to 20-0 with 15KOs. Bonilla slipped to 23-7 (14KOs).
“I thank God that Bautista’s hard work finally paid off. He deserved the victory,” said Bautista’s manager Antonio “Bidoy” Aldeguer.
Top executives of Golden Boy Promotions, including its president Oscar de la Hoya, vice president Eric Gomez, and matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz as well as WBO Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo climbed the ring immediately after the bout to congratulate Bautista.
Boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, on the other hand, went to the dressing room to personally congratulate Bautista.
“I really appreciate the gesture of Manny Pacquiao going to the dressing room and congratulating Bautista. He’s really a true champion,” said Aldeguer.
Even before the bout was over, Bautista earned words of praise from the American sportscasters who covered the bout. One said that “he’s the best 19-year-old fighter I’ve seen for a long time,” while the other described Bautista’s bombardments on Bonilla as “high quality landing shots.”
If plans don’t miscarry, Bautista will face next former world champion Fernando Montiel in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Oscar Larios battle on July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum.
