Bautista to stake crown vs. Tanzanian 'Thunder'

Boom Boom versus Thunder.

This explosive match-up will surely rock the entire Boholano community as Bohol's pride Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista defends his World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight title against Tanzanian Obote "Thunder" Ameme headlining the dual WBO AsPac championship billed as "Bakbakan sa Bohol" on November 19 at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex in Tagbilaran City.

In the supporting main event of the historic boxing spectacle in Bohol, Bautista's fellow Boholano Czar Amonsot will challenge defending titlist Victor Mausol of Bali, Indonesia for the WBO AsPac jr lightweight crown.

The complete card was officially announced by event backer and Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim, international promoter Sammy Gello-ani, and Bautista's manager Antonio "Bidoy" L. Aldeguer in a press conference the other night at the Magnolia room of Grand Convention Center of Cebu.

"It took us so long to assemble this promotion because we had a hard time in looking for the best opponent (for Bautista)," said Gello-ani, who divulged that they went through a tedious process having been turned down by at least six top contenders from Mexico, Africa and Thailand before they finally locked up a deal with Ameme.

Also present during the affair were Luisito Espinosa's manager Joe Robles, Michael and Christine Aldeguer, and Lim's executive assistant Mark Monton.

"This is a fight the Boholanos should watch out for because this might be the last time we will see Bautista fighting in the Philippines. Next year, Bautista will already be campaigning in the United States," said Lim, himself an ardent supporter of Bautista.

"We have to put up the fight in Bohol because Rey (Bautista) is requesting it to us," added Lim, who estimated a crowd of 25,000 to witness what he described as "the biggest boxing event in the history of Bohol."

Bautista, who is highly regarded as the next bright star in the Philippine boxing constellation and a potential heir to Manny Pacquiao's throne, is very elated to be given a chance to fight once more before his adoring hometown fans.

"Magpasalamat ko og dako ni Mayor Dan Neri Lim ug sa probinsiya sa Bohol kay ila gyud ko gisuportaan. Gusto nako nga maka-away og balik sa Bohol aron makakita akong fans kay taga-Bohol gud ko," said the ALA teenage ring sensation.

Bautista is coming off a masterful third round destruction of Colombian Felix Flores Murillo in the 'Double Trouble' card last September 10 in Los Angeles where Manny Pacquiao and Fil-Am Brian Viloria also scored knockout wins to complete a 3-0 sweep by the Filipino boxers over their Latino rivals.

The 19-year-old Bautista brandishes a frightening 17-0 record spiked with 13KOs, while Ameme carries a decent 27-9 win-loss mark packed with 22KOs- a testament to the Tanzanian's sledge-hammer fists.

This early though, Lim expresses confidence of a victory by the Candijay, Bohol fighter, who is making his only second defense of the belt he seized by knocking out Thai Saensak Singmanassak in round 2 on August 17, 2004 at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

"Naturally we don't want Bautista to lose. If he loses, it should not happen in Bohol." said Lim. "Definitely this Tanzanian will not last 12 rounds. Maybe he (Ameme) will not go beyond six rounds against Bautista."

Although they have set a general admission fee of P100, Lim said they are opening the gates for free to senior citizens and students since the bigtime show is subsidized by the local government of Tagbilaran and the provincial government of Bohol.

"Since the promotion is subsidized by Tagbilaran and the provincial government of Bohol, we are offering it for free to senior citizens and students," said Lim.

"All in all, we already have P1 million seed money. Half of it is being provided by Tagbilaran City, while the remaining half is given by the province through Governor Erico Aumentado," said Lim.

At least P1.5 million is needed in putting up the promotion and Lim said they have no problem with that as the Sandugo Foundation, of which he is the chairman, will help out in raising funds.

Lim revealed they're also getting a substantial amount from Viva TV for the exclusive television rights of the slambang card.

"I'd like everyone to know that the net sales of this promotion will be given to Bautista to finance his US training in the future," said Lim.

Aside from an elite list of dignitaries from Cebu and Manila not to mention Bohol's top officials, also expected to heat up the exciting action are the sultry Viva Hot Babes, who will sashay as roundgirls, giving the Boholanos a taste of a first class, star-studded boxing extravaganza.