Bautista itching for revenge but Ruiz claims he has more to offer in their rematch headlining "Pinoy Pride 6"

CEBU, Philippines - It’s now or never for the resurgent ALA Boxing Gym star Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista as he seeks redemption against his former tormentor Heriberto “Cuate” Ruiz of Mexico.

Two years since that heart-rending defeat to the Mexican punching dynamo, Bautista (30-2, 23KOs) got the chance to again look Ruiz (46-10, 28KOs) eye-to-eye during the final press conference of “Pinoy Pride 6: Grudge Rematch” yesterday at the Aegean room of the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Filled with animosity, Bautista expressed his readiness to square off anew with the 33-year-old Mexican, who dealt his only second career loss on November 22, 2008 in Las Vegas.

“Hangtud karon sakit gihapon dawaton nga napilde ko niya kay mi-away ko nga way nabuhat tungod kay usa ra ka kamot akong gigamit,” said Bautista, who assured his fans that they will see a different Boom Boom than the one who fought first against Ruiz.

The 24-year-old pride of Candijay, Bohol is riding on the crest of a four-fight winning streak, the most recent was a spectacular third round stoppage of Mexican Alejandro Barrera last January 29.

“Kabaw ko ready siya sa iyang pagpanulong nako dinhi sa Cebu, pero nagtuo ko nga mas ready pako niya,” added Bautista.

But Ruiz belittled the ALA fighter’s threat to pull off a sweet revenge against him, saying that he has more to offer than Bautista’s claim of a massive improvement.

“I hope he's really ready for this fight because I came to win and I’m sure of defeating him again inside the ring,” said the former Mexican super flyweight champion.” I’ve been fighting with world champions including Rafael Marquez and still my experience will be my biggest arsenal to win this fight.”

Ruiz even bragged that he didn’t prepare well in his first meeting against Bautista, yet he still managed to come out victorious.

This time though, he wished the Pinoy warrior good luck as Ruiz claimed he is in best shape coming to into the battlefield.

Though the two protagonists were reluctant to predict an early stoppage, ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said a knockout finish would be inevitable since Bautista and Ruiz are are known to be the two of the strongest punchers in the featherweight division.

“Naa gyuy ma-knockout ani. Both of them can fight and I don’t know who, it could be Boom Boom or it could be Ruiz,” added Aldeguer.

Bautista and Ruiz will figure in a 12-round rumble for the IBF International featherweight title.

In the equally-exciting supporting bout, 19-year-old light welterweight prospect Jason Pagara (26-1, 15KOs) is in for a big test against his first Latino opponent in Juan Carlos Gallegos (16-4, 10KOs) of Mexico.

“I’ll come to take the fight and I’ll teach this kid a lesson,” said the 25-year-old Gallegos.

In the undercards, former WBO Silver flyweight titlist Edrin “The Sting” Dapudong (21-3, 12KOs) will go up against the undefeated Indonesian Bejna “Rhinoceros” Loemoli (11-0, 7KOs). (FREEMAN)