'Pinoy Pride 3' Bautista out to prove a point

CEBU, Philippines - Wanting to prove that his previous win was not only because of a mere controversial stoppage, ALA Boxing Gym stalwart Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista vows to score a convincing victory in his rematch with Mexico’s Alejandro “Zorrito” Barrera in the main event of the “Pinoy Pride 3” on January 29 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

During their first encounter in the “Philippine vs. the World” last August 28, Bautista engaged in a war against Barrera, but the Bohol-native fighter escaped with a highly questionable fourth round TKO win when the ring physician stopped the fight because of a nasty cut on the Mexican’s eyebrow.

“There's no question that there will be a lot of fireworks in this fight,” said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer during a press conference yesterday at the Sports Exchange Bar and Grill. “We want that rematch for Boom Boom, Barrera’s camp wants a rematch and also the fans want it.”

Bautista (29-2, 22KOs) admitted that he had done a mistake during the first fight because he was so aggressive to pull off a knockdown, allowing Barrera (21-4, 14KOs) to take advantage and hit him with a solid shots.

“Kaya raman nako ang iyang kumo, pero nanubra ra ko ka agresibo nga maka-knockout mao nang wa ko kabantay sa iyang mga kumo kung diin gikan” said the 24-year-old featherweight contender.

But this time, ALA trainer Edmund Villamor said Bautista will apply an intelligent fight against Barrera.

“Karon nana mi idea. Gitan-aw namo ang tape sa away og kaybaw nami sa among buhaton,” said Villamor. “Ang akong gisulti lang ni Boom Boom mao nga dili siya magpataka og sumbag ug mo-focus ta sa defense.”

In the equally-exciting undercard, WBO Asia-Pacific Youth lightweight champion Jason Pagara (24-1, 13KOs) will be tested again, this time against the formidable Billy Sumba (18-2, 4 KOs) of Indonesia.

Pagara is hard-pressed to make an impression as he will be sent to the United States to undergo a more extensive training regimen under the supervision of Top Rank Inc.

On the other hand, former WBC silver flyweight champion Edrin “The Sting” Dapudong (20- 3, 11KOs) will make his debut under the aegis of ALA Promotions against Indonesian Sofyan “The Cobra” Effendi (10-10, 8KOs) in a 10-round duel, while bantamweight prospect Roli Gasca (15-1, 3KOs) hopes to steal part of the spotlight when he slugs it out with Joash Aparecio (7-3, 4KOs) of the Cagayan de Oro-based Sajulga Stable. (FREEMAN NEWS)