'Bakbakan sa Tagbilaran' today: ALA ring stars Bautista and Amonsot hope to score victories at home

TAGBILARAN CITY – History beckons today as Bohol's treasured boxers Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista and Czar Amonsot, both of the famed ALA Boxing Gym, battle separate foes in a blockbuster pair of World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific title bouts billed as "Binakbakay sa Tagbilaran" starting off at 3 pm at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex here.

Bautista (17-0, 13KOs) will make the second defense of his WBO AsPac bantamweight crown against Obote "The Thunder" Ameme (27-9, 22KOs) of Tanzania, East Africa, while Amonsot (12-1-1, 9KOs) will challenge Indonesian defending champion Victor Mausol for the WBO AsPac super featherweight belt.

During yesterday's official weigh-in at the Island City Mall, the 19-year-old Bautista, looking great and in perfect shape, scaled in at 117 pounds, while Ameme had to shed excess baggage before reaching the required weight limit of 118 pounds.

Amonsot and Mausol did not have trouble in making the weight limit of 130 pounds.

If there's an indication the Bautista-Ameme rumble will be greeted with fireworks and mushroom cloud right after the opening bell, it's no other than the bold declaration of African trainer/manager Emmanuel Mlundwa that his boxer will terminate the Candijay, Bohol fighter in just two rounds.

"My boxer is not worried of the fight because he has a lot of experience. I don't think it's going to be a long fight because Ameme will knock out Bautista in two rounds," said Mlundwa.

Bautista, however, appeared cool and calm, assuring only that he will unleash all the firepower in his offensive arsenal so as not to break the hearts of his diehard hometown fans.

"I won't take any chances on this fight. I will show all my skills and talents in boxing to win this bout and defend my title. I dedicate this fight to my fellow Boholanos and to all those who have supported me," said Bautista.

Bautista warned if Ameme can't knock him out in two rounds, he is going to finish off the African visitor in four rounds.

If victorious, Bautista's US agent Michael Koncz revealed the ALA ring sensation will face next Mexican Gerardo Espinoza in a non-title bout on December 23 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The supporting main event of this VIVA Sports-televised card presented by SGG Sports Promotions International is similarly explosive, with Mausol vowing to stop Amonsot in seven rounds.

"This is going to be a good fight. I will stop him in seven rounds," said Mausol.

"I won't make any predictions. All I can say is that I'll give my all-out best so I won't be embarrassed in my hometown," was the straightforward reply of Amonsot on Mausol's pronouncement.

Aside from Bautista and Amonsot, six other Bohol homegrown talents will show their stuff in the multi-million extravaganza jointly bankrolled by the local government of Tagbilaran, provincial government of Bohol, and Sandugo Foundation.

Heading the list of Boholano combatants spicing up the star-studded affair is RP ranked No.3 flyweight Along Denoy (8-6, 2KOs), who will clash with Rene Bañares in a 10-rounder match.

Dinoy's 'paisanos (townmates)' in Arnel Tadena, Alex John Banal, Glenn Masicampo, Dan Carlos, and Tiny Tyson also hope to steal the show in what is considered as the biggest and the grandest boxing promotion so far in the history of Bohol.

Tadena mixes it up with Gil Abad, Banal battles Ronnie Saguing, Masicampo takes on Billy Bullecer, Carlos faces Chris Alag, while Tyson tangles with Julius Cabusas. Also, Talisay City's Rashid Bacus squares off with Jun Grumo in the curtain raiser.

Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim reiterated the promotion is open for free to senior citizens, but advised them, and all those who are going to watch the big event, to wear red to show their love and support to "Boom Boom."

Aside from Lim and other Boholano dignitaries led by governor Erico Aumentado, Manila Mayor Lito Atienza is expected to grace the action-packed show.

Viva Hotbabes' Zyra Lopez and Gwen Garci will sashay as roundgirls, 2005 Star in a Million champion Jerome Sala will sing the Philippine national anthem, while the decorated Loboc Children's Choir and former Platter Bobby Soul also make up the list of performers that will entertain the crowd.

If Bautista will come out triumphant, a 10-minute, uninterrupted fireworks display will dazzle the spectators and close what is truly a night to remember for the Boholanos.