QUEZON CITY – Boholano boxing sensation Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista came up with a performance that will surely regain the adoration and respect of his fans, punching out a lopsided 12-round unanimous decision win over the iron-chinned Mexican Antonio “Barrio” Meza to keep his WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight title in the main event of yesterday’s well-attended “PAYBACK” card at the Araneta Coliseum here.
“I’m very happy and satisfied with my performance,” said an ecstatic Bautista during the post-fight press conference. “He (Meza) is not only strong and tough, but is also skillful. But I give everything I can to win this fight and make my fellow countrymen happy.”
The victory somehow erased the sting of Bautista’s stunning first-round knockout loss to WBO super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon during the Boxing World Cup last August 12 at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California.
Bautista rocked Meza on several occasions, but just couldn’t finish off the Mexican toughie, who held on his ground in the face of the Boholano’s seemingly endless bombardments on all range.
“I really did not expect he’s that good and tough. I don’t know what he’s been eating,” said Bautista in slight jest. “He had me hurt in the sixth and eight rounds, but I can take his punches. I just keep my focus in the fight and I did not rush things up. I think these were among the good things I’ve done.”
Though there were no knockdowns, Bautista was without question the dominant fighter resulting into the shutout verdict. Judge Salven Lagumbay had it 117-111, Johnny Davis penned it 116-112 and Eppie Almeda scored 118-110 all for Bautista, who improved to 24-1 (17KOs). Meza fell to (23-3, 16KOs).
Meza wasn’t impressed with Bautista although he has some kind words for his tormentor. “No, he don’t impressed me. I’ve already fought a boxer that is better than him. But he’s a good fighter,” he said. “I feel I had him hurt, but he’s really quick.”
Quick that is because Bautista showed a lot of head and body movements this time compared to his previous fights.
“I know there’s a lot for him to improve in the gym.But the good thing is that we can see a lot of improvements. He has more head movements and throw a lot of jabs now. He’ll be better from now on,” said Michael P. Aldeguer, Bautista’s manager.
“Boom Boom has changed for the better and definitely become a more cautious and mature fighter,” noted Cebu City Councilor Sylvan “Jack” Jakosalem, who cheered on for Bautista at the ringside.
Although nothing is definite yet with regards to his next fight, Bautista said he will prepare hard for it and accept it even if it’s a world title bout. He even issued a brazen message to Ponce de Leon: “If you’re watching now, I want to challenge you again so you will see the real Boom Boom. I’m proud that you’re the one who only beat me – a world champion – but I want to face you again so you will realize it wasn’t the real me when we first clashed.”
A Star Is Born
Like his ALA stablemate Bautista, AJ “Bazooka” Banal also gained the admiration of the Manileños in his first ring appearance in the Big City when he stopped the very tough Mexican Jovanny “Bambino” Soto in the ninth round to remain as the WBO Youth super flyweight champion.
Banal had Soto groggy several times in the earlier rounds, but had a hard a time going for the kill as the Mexican gamely took his foe’s rapid-fire punches.
“We never expected Soto to be that tough. We thought Banal is going to knock him out in the fourth or fifth round,” said ALA top honcho Antonio “Bidoy” L. Aldeguer, Banal’s longtime benefactor. “The guy is now only skillful, but is also strong and tough.”
Soto’s end, however, came in round nine when Banal landed a powerful right cross that downed the Mexican on both knees. Soto beat the count with rubbery legs, only to be at the receiving of Banal’s ferocious follow-up punches, prompting referee Ferdinand Estrella to wave off the bout at the 2:15 mark.
As the verdict was announced, Banal got a standing ovation and a warm applause and cheers of approval from the spectators at the gallery.
“My opponent is very tough, but I tried so hard to beat him. I thought I’m going to win by decision. I really did not expect I could land one solid punch that could instantly knock him out,” said Banal, who stretched his unbeaten mark to 16-0-1 now dotted with 13KOs.
A little bit bitter on his defeat, Soto said he would have reached the 10th round had the referee did not stop the bout early. But a slo-mo replay shown to Cebu sports media by Jakosalem in his video-camera clearly flashed Banal landing 10 punches in succession after Soto got up resulting to the stoppage.
In the other featured title bout, Milan Milendo retained his WBO Asia-Pacific minimumweight crown after eking out a unanimous decision win over Indonesian Jack Amisa.
Undercards
Two other ALA Boys emerged victorious, with RP bantamweight champion Michael Domingo defeating Tanzanian national champion Anthony Mathias by unanimous decision and Joseph Omanza registering a TKO win over Albert Cesa of Cebu’s Omega Stable at 1:33 of the second round.
It was not all jubilation for them though as RP flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes lost by split decision to the second-ranked Richie Mepranium of Sarangani Province.
NOTES: Former Philippine president Joseph Estrada got the surprise of everyone when he showed up at the Big Dome to watch the blockbuster card put up by the Third Force Promotions under the marketing genius of Noli Eala in partnership with ABC-5 Sports of business tycoon Tony Boy Cojuangco, Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim, and banker Eric Tagle….Some of Cebu’s local officials came in to watch the slambang affair led by Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes, Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael L. Rama, Jack Jakosalem, and former PB member Luigi Quisumbing…Other luminaries present were Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, former Sens. Ramon Revilla, Sr. , Kit Tatad and Robert Jaworski, Reps. Baby Asistio and Robbie Puno, Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, San Juan Mayor JV Ejercito, and former Congressman Prospero Butch Pichay.