Bautista abdicates WBO AsPac throne

ALA Boxing Gym phenomenon Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista has officially relinquished his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific bantamweight throne to venture into the super bantamweight (jr featherweight) division.

"We already made a decision for Bautista to vacate his WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight title and campaign in a heavier weight division," said Antonio "Bidoy" L. Aldeguer, Bautista's benefactor.

International promoter Sammy Gello-ani, Aldeguer's partner in charting Bautista's career together with the Oscar de la Hoya-managed Golden Boy Promotions, said the Boholano ring star is still very young and growing and is more comfortable fighting in the 122 pounds division.

"We have already sent a formal letter to Leon Panoncillo (WBO vice president) of our intention to have him (Bautista) vacate the title," Gello-ani said. "We hope to give other contenders a chance at the title."

Although he just vacated his WBO AsPac bantamweight crown, Bautista has already fought twice in the super bantamweight division - both in the United States.

The first was when Bautista survived a second round scare to defeat the iron-chinned Gerardo Espinoza by unanimous decision on Christmas eve last year at the Sycuan Resort & Casino in California. The second resulted to a third-round knockout of Nicaraguan Roberto Bonilla at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

Now fighting under the aegis of Golden Boy Promotions, the pride of Bohol is set to leave for the US on August 10 to undergo further training in preparation for his fight against Moises "Matador" Gutierrez of Chile on September 16 at the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Bautista will be accompanied by trainer Edito "ALA" Villamor and stablemate Alex John "AJ" Banal, who is being eyed by Golden Boy Promotions.

Bautista's match against Gutierrez will serve as one of the supporting bouts of the hotly-anticipated rematch between WBC super featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez.

Gutierrez holds a decent 15-3 record, with six wins by knockout. A former Chilean bantamweight titlist, Gutierrez once vied for the WBA Inter-Continental super bantamweight title but lost to defending champion Gabula Vabaza last March 31 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Bautista, on the other hand, is undefeated in 20 fights spiked with 15KOs. He scored a one-punch stoppage of Edwin Gastador in the second of their three-round exhibition match the last time he climbed up the ring during the Sandugo boxing card last July 22 in Tagbilaran City.