Bautista leaves today for US fight

Boholano boxing sensation Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista and his trainer Edito "ALA" Villamor will leave for Los Angeles tonight via Manila aboard Philippine Airlines (PAL) to undergo further training at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym in Hollywood in preparation for his upcoming fight in the United States.

Bautista, now in the pink of health after enduring unfortunate injuries that forced him to pull out of two major fights here and abroad, is set for a ring comeback against Brazilian champion Giovanni "The Bomber" Andrade on December 2 at the St. Peter Square Times in Tampa, Florida.

"I hope all my fans, especially my fellow Boholanos, will continue to support me and help me pray for my success. They're a big source of strength for me and I will try my best not to let them down this time," said Bautista, who sports a frightening 20-0 record adorned with 15KOs.

Bautista is on a mission and that is no less than to silence his critics, who earlier hinted an early retirement for the ALA Stable standout after he was struck by injuries.

Bautista was initially set to battle Andrade in the undercard of Marco Antonio Barrera-Rock Juarez rematch last September 16 in Las Vegas, but he withdrew from the bout for sustaining a hairline fracture in his right clavicle during training.

Before that, Bautista also backed out of his match against Mexican Alejandro Felix Montiel underneath the Manny Pacquiao-Oscar Larios showdown last July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum because of a virus infection that caused him high fever and heavy coughing.

Now healthy and strong, the 20-year-old Bautista seeks to redeem himself and prove he can handle well all the trials and tribulations that smacked his way with his positive outlook in life.

"I'm so excited to return to the ring. The unfortunate incidents that hounded me in the past few months are already behind me. I'm looking forward to my fight against Andrade and prove to everyone that I still have what it takes to become a champion someday," said Bautista.

In LA, Villamor said Bautista will go through a torrid workout against top caliber Latino sparmates, mostly Mexicans.

Since recovering from his clavicle injury, Villamor said Bautista has logged in at least 20 rounds of sparring sessions against Weng Haya, Marjohn Yap, Reman Salim, Franklin Albia and Leon Maratas, whom he knocked out in the second round with a solid body punch.

"This is his first ring appearance since incurring two straight injuries. I just hope and pray that he will be in top shape and in good condition against Andrade," said Villamor.