MOISES “Matador” Gutierrez, the scheduled opponent of world-rated Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, has been denied a US visa, forcing the super bantamweight champion of Chile to pull out of his scheduled Sept. 16 fight on the undercard of the rematch between World Boxing Council super featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez.
Golden Boy Promotions’ matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz called promoter Sammy Gello-ani to inform him of the developments, but indicated they would find a worthy replacement for Gutierrez, who has a record of 15-3 with 6 knockouts. Bautista has a record of 20-0 with 15 knockouts.
Bautista is scheduled to leave for Los Angeles, along with trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor and promising youngster AJ Banal on Aug. 10 to train at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach.
While Bautista is the reigning World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion and rated no. 1 in the world by the WBO and no. 7 by the WBC, his handlers have decided to move him up to the super bantamweight division and have rejected attempts to have him fight for a world title. Both his manager, respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer and Roach have cautioned against rushing him.
The undefeated 19-year-old has had only three fights in the US so far and his Sept. 18 bout will be only his second at 122 pounds. Gello-ani said Bautista has to get used to fighting at the heavier weight, where he will be campaigning in the hope of getting a much-awaited title shot next year.
