Filipino gunslinger Jimrex ‘The Executioner’ Jaca is so focused on his training at the ALA Gym for his showdown with Indonesia’s Simson Butar-Butar on February 24 such that his trainer Robert Bubuli has started complaining of his power and tenacity.
“My arms ache everytime I hold the mitts against him during training. He is just getting better and better each day,” said Bubuli.
Jaca will challenge Butar-Butar for the WBO Asia Pacific superfeatherweight crown in the ‘Moment of Truth’ card at the Cebu City Sports Complex, a fight that the Cebu-based Negrense hopes will lead to bigger things.
The Jaca-Butar Butar showdown is the third championship bout in the ‘Moment of Truth’ card, which will be aired by ABS-CBN and its global arm The Filipino Channel.
Jaca has indicated that he is training hard and putting in the effort for his family and country, saying that he cannot afford to let them down.
“My promoter Oscar De la Hoya has told me that he might put me as an undercard to his bout on May 5 with Floyd Mayweather, that’s why I’m putting in the work,” Jaca stressed.
De la Hoya, in an interview with this writer on November 25 following Jaca’s spirited challenge of Juan Manuel Marquez, had hinted that he might put Jaca on the May 5 ‘The World Awaits’ card, as the Golden Boy thinks Jaca showed tremendous heart and talent in his gallant effort against Marquez.
Aside from Jaca, De la Hoya said, undefeated Rey ‘Boom Boom’ Bautista will also be included in the May 5 pay-per-view event, which has already broken the record in live gate receipts, and is poised to become the highest-grossing PPV bout in history.
Butar-Butar is scheduled to arrive in the country on Sunday afternoon, accompanied by his manager and trainer.
The Indonesian fighter gained notoriety here after he stopped local hero Czar Amonsot in a single round on September 23, 2005 in Tagbilaran City.
