SINCE kissing the canvas for the first time when he fought Daniel Ponce de Leon over four years ago, Rey ?Boom-Boom? Bautista?s has had more than his fair share of critics, some of whom even say he has no future in the sport.
Tonight, Bautista has a chance to prove them wrong, or give his critics more weapons against him as he face undefeated Mexican Miguel Angel Mendoza in the main event of Pinoy Pride 10 at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
?We felt ?Boom-Boom? hasn?t really been tested after his loss to de Leon. He has to go through this if he wants a rematch with de Leon,? ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer, Bautista?s handler, told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.
The 25-year-old local hero is having the first title defense of his International Boxing Federation (IBF) International featherweight crown against the Mexican knockout specialist, who is 17-0-1 with 17 KOs.
?I?m prepared. It will be a great fight. I will not take my chances with him because he is a strong opponent. If there is an opportunity to knock him out, I will knock him out. I will fight an intelligent fight but if I feel that I can take his punches, then I will just exchange punches with him,? said Bautista.
The future of Bautista, 31-2 with 23 knockouts, is all at stake in this fight. A win over Mendoza could earn him either a rematch with de Leon or a world title fight with current IBF featherweight champion Billy Dib.
In the main supporting bouts, Genesis Servania (15-0, 5 KOs) will take on fellow unbeaten prospect Mexican Marcos Cardenas (19-0-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-round fight.
Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) flyweight titlist Rocky Fuentes (29-6-2, 18 KOs) will lock horns with former World Boxing Council International Silver flyweight king Lookdiaw Tor Buamas (22-4, 8 KOs), while RP light welterweight titleholder Romeo Jakosalem (15-4-1, 8 KOs) fights Korean light welterweight champion Pan Soo Kim (11-2-1, 7 KOs) for the vacant OPBF light welterweight crown in the main card.
