CIRCA 2007 when this column was in its embryonic stage, Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista was then one of the fresh faces of Philippine boxing.
The sport was riding high on the crest of Manny Pacquiao?s success and with that came the heralding of a bunch of hopefuls eager to follow the Pacman?s seminal path and possibly replicate his success.
?Boom-Boom? was the beneficiary of that orgy of pugilistic hope and promise as he even captained the Philippine team in the World Cup of Boxing organized by Golden Boy Promotions against the formidable Mexican team, despite the presence of the prolific Gerry Pe?alosa.
We all know what happened. Bautista got eviscerated by Daniel Ponce De Leon in one round. Here are excerpts of what I wrote back then:
?I do not necessarily subscribe to the view that the reason for Rey ?Boom-boom? Bautista?s defeat at the hands of Daniel Ponce de Leon was the fact that he may have been rushed too soon into a title bout.
Sure, it could have been a factor, as his inexperience and ring immaturity accounted for his lapses in defense, but more than anything else, it was his shaky chin that betrayed him.
?It won?t matter much whether it?s your first fight or you?re one hundredth. If it gives, it gives.
Before you bring up the fact that Ponce de leon is one of the hardest punchers around, remember that ?Boom-Boom? also tasted the canvas against Gerardo Espinoza and received a standing eight count against Sergio Manuel Medina.
Remember also that Gerry Penalosa, a more diminutive and less imposing physical specimen than Bautista, lasted all of twelve rounds against de Leon. Gerry even stood there and traded with him the whole time.?
TODAY. Fast forward to 2013. After Bautista lost to Jose Ramirez last Saturday, retirement is now being considered. If any, that goes to show that a lot can happen in just six years.
In Bautista?s case, three losses in that span meant a downgrade from championship prospect to sequestration.
I was initially taken aback by the retirement announcement. In terms of mileage, a fighter at the age of 26 is by no means old. A record of 34-3, 25KOs also doesn?t register high in the fight odometer department.
But if his health is an issue then I totally agree that it is paramount and should outweigh other considerations.
However, if it?s the success factor we are dealing with, then I think it?s more of a disappointment over unmet expectations.
LOOKING BACK. The Ponce de Leon loss highlighted Bautista?s weaknesses. But instead of learning, Bautista?s defense never improved. Or if it did, only marginally.
He never exhibited any appreciable head movement and showed no promise at counterpunching.
I recall one conversation I had with ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer about letting Bautista just be the brawler that he is.
I figured he may never be a Z Gorres in terms of defensive prowess and all that infusion and instruction about slipping the jab, moving laterally, may only stifle his inherent feral skill in knocking out people and confuse him.
It was a wild idea that came to my head. If the kid wants a donnybrook every single time, let him be. He apparently doesn?t mind getting knocked down, as long he can also hurt his opponent.
Again, it boils down to scaling down our expectations. To be candid, his limited boxing skills, ordinary hand speed, and glassy chin were never championship caliber material to start with and it showed through the years as he would acquit himself well against regional opponents, but falter against the top-tier guys.
But he entertained us where others failed. To me that was always enough and he never disappointed me.
LAST ROUNDS. Are on Raymond Tero and Zita Abellanosa who celebrate their birthdays this week. Cheers!
