CHICAGO?”I’m back!” It was a bold declaration of readiness, a mammoth sigh of relief after months of being sidelined by a hairline fracture in his collarbone.
But the roar was also a manifestation of supreme confidence, one that reverberated through the walls of his Hyatt Hotel room in Tampa, Forida where I called to interview him the other night.
Yes, indeed, Rey “Boom -Boom” Bautista is ready to rumble once more and continue his pursuit toward ring greatness as he takes on Giovanni Andrade in the undercard of Winky Wright’s middleweight title defense tomorrow night at the St. Pete Times Forum.
Although he hasn’t seen action since last May at the Staples Center, BooMBoom isn’t worried about the thoughtof rust possibly corroding at his immense skills.
“Eventhough I was hurt, I kept in shape,” he told me in the vernacular. “Grabe akong preparation karon.
I’ve sparred 80 rounds at the Wild Card Gym plus another 30 rounds in CEbu before I left,” the pride of Candijay, Bohol added. World class trainer of champions Edito “Ala” Villamor mirrored Bautista’s confidence. “We really trained hard for this. He’s is ready, in fact, I am amazed at his continued maturation as a thinking fighter with a power punch to boot, “Villamor said.
Bautista, 20-0 with 17 KOs, hopes to keep his record immaculate and prop himself for a shot at the superban-tamweight diadem. Although time is at his side at age 20, BoomBoom isn’t letting grass grow under his feet.
“Hopefully after three more fights I can have a shot at a world title,” he offered.
P.S. While you were sleeping last night, I took a flight from Chicago to Tampa, Florida for the fight. I will broadcast the Bautista fight live blow-by-blow at dyAB. Stay tuned.
Many thanks to my good pal City Councilor Jack Jakosalem for making this trip possible. Thanks also to Arthro, through Atan Guardo, who tandemed with Jack yesterday to pull me from a tight spot.
Thanks guys.
