the best he can be in his boxing career in order to provide his family a way out of poverty.
This is why he was so frustrated when twice over in the last five months, he had to back out from scheduled fights because of unfortunate circumstances. In July, he was supposed to fight in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Larios fight, but was stricken by a viral infection that hospitalized him.
Last September, he had already gone to the United States for rigid training with Freddie Roach when a collar bone injury sent him packing.
Adding to his disappointment as well as that of his manager/benefactor Tony Aldeguer were unfounded rumors which ascribed sinister motives for the two fight cancellations. Some unscrupulous parties had spread the word that he had pulled out from the fights because of unreasonable demands over prize money, which were completely untrue.
But true to the regimen of discipline instituted by Aldeguer at his squeaky clean and state-of-the-art boxing gyms in Cebu and Tagbilaran, Bautista just shrugged off the ugly rumors and went about his business.
True enough, it paid off with a handsome win over veteran Giovanni Andrade of Brazil last weekend which validated his stature as a world-class fighter.
No less than the most recognizable fighter in the world, and one of the most prominent boxing promoters today, Oscar de la Hoya, has been totally entranced not only by the fighting prowess of the young Boholano, but also his likeable ways.
De la Hoya has been showering Boom-Boom with the kind of attention he rarely shows his other fighters. He has provided him with a stretch limousine, has personally joined him in his workouts at the hotel gym before the fight, and reportedly gave the Filipino sensation a sizable bonus for his recent win.
Boom-Boom related that De la Hoya was so elated by the victory that he kept showing him off like a prized trophy after the fight proclaiming to everyone, “This is my Boom-Boom!” He had also introduced him to a pre-fight press conference as “the next Manny Pacquiao. It doesn?t get better than this.”
Bautista has consistently shown two facets to his character. Inside the ring he dons an inscrutable mask of determination and focus that no antics or strategic moves from the opposition can break through.
After the fight, he reverts to the innocent youngster that he is, mesmerized by his surroundings (“Ma, Pa si Oscar de la Hoya, Hopkins at Mosley, katabi ko!”) and showing off his emotions with sparkling eyes and a contagious, winsome smile.
Indeed, it doesn?t get better than this. Boom-Boom once told us a story of having unconsciously broken curfew at the ALA gym while shopping in Cebu with stablemate Rollen Del Castillo. Upon realizing their misdemeanor, the two pugilists tried to persuade Aldeguer to allow them to go home to their quarters (it is a strict ALA policy that curfew breakers may not enter the premises).
To teach them a lesson, Aldeguer rejected their pleas. The two soon found themselves in a rough neighborhood where they tried to huddle in a corner on a pedestrian overpass to spend the night.
Soon some mean-looking guys were menacingly looking them over and the courageous prizefighter again appealed by cell phone to his benefactor Aldeguer to reconsider his decision. Bautista admitted to me that he was already on the verge of tears, fearful of a run-in with neighborhood thugs. I thought it took quite a lot for an accomplished boxer to admit to fear of a gang of delinquents whom we could fairly assume he and his partner could have easily taken out.
Fortunately for them, Aldeguer relented, knowing that the pair had learned their lesson. Boom-Boom has never broken curfew since.
Aldeguer also revealed that just like every other boxer in his stable, Bautista only gets a P500 weekly allowance. Boom-Boom says sometimes he doesn?t even use up the entire amount. His prize money is wisely saved and accounted for and is used only for necessary expenses for the boxer and his family.
The Boom-Boom anecdotes are endless and will show a humble, unspoiled and determined young man eager to prove himself in a world where discipline, hard work and a good heart may not guarantee success, but would certainly deserve a nation?s admiration and support.
After the win over Andrade he holds a pristine record of 21 wins in as many fights, with 16 knockouts. We hope this string of success holds, and his dream is finally realized.
If there?s one guy who deserves it, it?s got to be “Boom-Boom.”
