TAGBILARAN CITY?It has been a long time since local hero Rey ?Boom-Boom? Bautista last fought in Bohol and when he fights again this Saturday after more than six years, the 25-year-old Boholano wants to make an impression.
?I really want to fight again here in Bohol and make the people proud. I want to encourage the youth to follow in our footsteps,? Bautista said in the final press conference of ?Pinoy Pride 12 ? Bakbakan sa Bohol.?
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Bautista locks horns with 34-year-old Mexican veteran Genaro Garcia in a 10-round main event at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex, the same venue wherein he last saw action in front of his fellow Boholanos.
Bautista, 32-2 with 24 knockouts, last saw action in Bohol in 2005, knocking out Obote Ameme in just two rounds.
?I?m not predicting a knockout but if a knockout comes I?ll knock him out. I?m also ready for 10 rounds,? said Bautista, who is coming off a sixth-round knockout over Miguel Angel Mendoza last December at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-Lapu City.
Although Garcia has left the sport for some time in his career, he still is a tough opponent for Bautista because of his impressive credentials. Garcia is 38-8 with 22 knockouts and has been in three world title fights. He has fought but lost to Wilfredo Vazquez Jr., Toshiaki Nishioka, Luis Alberto Perez, Hozumi Hasegawa and Cruz Carbajal.
However, he scored a knockout win over Mexican star Rafael Marquez.
?I came here to win. I?m going to feel him out first and then attack. I?m going to study him in the first couple of rounds,? said Garcia, who has won his last two fights since coming off from a long layoff.?
On the other hand, unbeaten prospect Genesis Servania (16-0, 6 KOs) takes on another tough test against veteran Kenyan Nick Otieno (21-7, 9 KOs) in a 10-rounder in the main supporting bout. Jason Pagara (27-2, 16 KOs) looks to bounce back from a heartbreaking loss as he faces Indonesian Frans Yarangga (10-1-1, 7 KOs). Pagara is off a unanimous decision defeat to Mexican Rosbel Montoya.
In the undercard, Michael Domingo (43-16-2, 22 KOs) is fighting the most important bout of his career as he trades leathers with fellow veteran Marvin Tampus (27-14-2, 18 KOs)
It will be a make-or-break fight for Domingo because a win could revive his dwindling career for a run at a world title. If successful, the 32-year-old Domingo is slated to face former International Boxing Federation bantamweight titleholder Joseph Agbeko on May 26 in Ghana for the vacant International Boxing Organization bantamweight crown.
