REY “Boom-Boom” Bautista was deprived as a kid.
He worked seven days a week in the rice field, gathering firewood to sell and root crops to eat. He was virtually a nobody.
Like most boxers, his fists were his tools out of poverty. Now, the erstwhile inferior and silent boy is probably the most popular figure in Bohol and is a role model to the kids. He is no longer silent but is outspoken and no longer poor but a millionaire, yes, a millionaire.
Bautista, considered by many as the next Manny Pacquiao, took time out of his training to tell his story to Sun.Star Cebu.
You are considered as the next Manny Pacquiao. How do you feel about it?
Of course I am flattered. Who am I to be placed in the stature of Pacquiao. But honestly, I have a lot to work to do before I can be called the next Pacquiao. Maybe we share the same passion for the game. But I really have no intentions of becoming the next Pacquiao. He is Manny Pacquiao, there is only one Manny Pacquiao. I am Rey Bautista and there is only one Rey Bautista.
As a boxer, I would be glad to be the next to follow his footsteps. But certainly, I am a different person. I don’t waste my money. I don’t gamble, I don’t have a lavish lifestyle because I am contented with what I am now and in the future.
Did you know that I am the lucky charm of my parents. For example, my mother would ask me for a number combination for masiao and it would turn to be the winning combination the next day or my father would take me to cockfighting to pick which rooster to bet on and he’ll win. But that is not in my system. I just don’t want to gamble. I feel it’s just a waste of money, which could have been spent for food or saved for the future.
And I had you, press people who helped make me what I am today. I am in your debt.
In 21 fights how much have you saved ?
Honestly speaking, I already saved P2 million. But now I only have P1.5 million in my bank, because I spent about P700,000 for our house in Candijay and for other furniture and appliances. I bought whatever my mother and father wanted. I wanted them to have a good life because they are the reason why I worked hard.
If I hadn’t gotten an injury, probably, I will have about P3 million in the bank. I was very upset with what happened to me then. But, that is part of the past and I had learned a lot from it.
Speaking of that injury that sidelined you for two fights, how did you feel about it?
I was very frustrated. My detractors, especially the people in my place, came up to me and called me useless and a never-been and a has-been. It really hurt me. I felt I was hopeless. I wanted to hide because I can no longer take their mockery.
But luckily, I had people who consoled me. People who assured me that everything is okay, that the injury is just temporary, and I am referring to Sir ALA (Antonio Lopez Aldeguer), my mentor and my heart-and-soul. And there’s coach Edito (Villamor), who truly understands me, he is my big brother and my motivator.
Mayor (Dan) Lim (of Tagbilaran City) is also there to keep my head up. They are the reasons why I am still here, because at one point, I wanted to quit boxing. Thanks to them, I was able to overcome all those bad things and I am back. Now, I can look straight into the eyes of those who doubted me, and tell them that “I am back.”
Your last opponent, Giovanni Andrade had a lot of antics during your fight. How did you overcome them? I learned it from experience. The best fight I had was against Gilberto Bola?os (June 11, 2005 in Mandaue City) and Gerardo Espinoza (Dec. 26, 2005 in San Diego, California).
Bola?os was a taller fighter, wise, stylish and hard puncher. Even if he retired after the fifth round. I learned to defend myself against such caliber of a fighter. (to be continued)
