MANILA — WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight champion Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista (23—1, 17KOs) and his Mexican challenger Antonio “Barrio” Meza (33-2,19KOs) were very cordial and full of respect with each other as they trade verbal jabs face-to-face for the first time, three days before their 12-round war topbilling the blockbuster “PAYBACK:Resbak Para sa Kababayan” card this Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
But if we read between the lines Bautista’s statements, the comebacking Boholano boxing sensation gave a clear description of himself in his comeback fight – a hungry lion hunting for a prey.
“I’m coming from a loss that is why I have to win this fight,” said Bautista in a lavish press conference promoting the multi-million show bankrolled by Third Force Promotions of Noli Eala and Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim yesterday afternoon at the Philippine International Convention Center.
“I’m hungry (for victory). I was really hurt in my last fight,” added Bautista, referring to his devastating first round KO loss to WBO super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon last August 11 in Sacramento. “I’ve prepared hard for this moment because I’m fighting not only for our country but also for my honor. May the best man win.”
Bautista did not make any predictions, but assured he will give his all-out best to put up an entertaining fight and prove he still what it takes to be a world champion someday.
“I haven’t seen yet how he fights and I don’t know his style that is why I can’t make a prediction. All I can say is that it’s going to be a great fight. If there’s a chance to knock him out, I will do it,” said Bautista. “I can’t wait until Sunday to fight him.”
Meza, for his part, has nothing but words of praise for Bautista, but said he did not travel several thousands miles just to lose.
“I travel all the way from Mexico and I did not come here just to lose,” said Meza through his interpreter and trainer Fernando Dominquez. “I respect Bautista. He’s a great fighter and one of the best boxers of the Philippines. But I’m also a great fighter. Once we get there in the ring, it’s going to be different.”
Asked if he’s going for a knockout, Meza replied:” The knockout will come by itself. So we won’t gonna look for it. We’re ready to go 12 rounds.”
In the supporting bouts of the four-nation extravaganza co-presented by Ginebra San Miguel and will be broadcast live on ABC-21 of Tony Boy Cojuangco starting at 9 am on Sunday, two rising stars from Cebu’s fabled ALA Boxing Gym will showcase their punching skills for the first time in the Big City.
AJ “Bazooka” Banal will defend his WBO Youth super flyweight title against the dangerous Mexican Jovanny “Bambino” Soto, while Milan Milendo will also make the first defense of his WBO Asia-Pacific minimumweight crown against Jack Amisa of Indonesia.
In another attraction, RP bantamweight title-holder Michael Domingo will figure in a non-title bout scheduled for 10 rounds against Tanzanian national champion Anthony Matias.
The rest of the ALA Boys who will see-action in the keenly-awaited event are RP flyweight titlist Rocky Fuentes against Ritchie Mepranium and Joseph Omanza against Albert Cesa.
Completing the card are Jason Pagara vs. Anton Olarte, Bai Elorde against Cris Dollosin, and Marron Sanchez of Cebu’s Omega Stable against Mandaluyong’s Jesson Perater.
Meanwhile, aside from Eala and Mayor Lim, the other bigwigs who graced the well-attended presscon were WBO vice president for Asia-Pacific Leon Panoncillo, Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Eric Buhain, boxing division chief Dr. Nasser Cruz, ALA Stable manager Michael Aldeguer and wife Christine, and the voluptuous ring announcer Amy Hayes.
“The way we handled the event, we realized that the Philippines can be a destination of bigtime boxing. We’ve prepared hard for this fight and it will push through whatever happens,” said Eala.
NOTES: A live webcast of Payback card will be available on netvision.com... There will be an interruption on the TV coverage to give way to the telecast of Nonito Donaire’s IBF/IBO flyweight title defense against Luis Maldonado which falls on the same day at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut, USA...Ultra popular Cebuana actress/singer Vina Morales will sing the national anthem....As part of the event’s promotional tour, there will be a Training Day at the Mall this afternoon at Market!Market! in Taguig.