Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim promises a night to remember and calls Bautista’s climb up the fistic ladder an odyssey of "destiny to history."
Lim is pulling no stops in transforming the football turf, where Bautista and Ameme will slug it out in a canopied ring, into a stage of glitz and glitter.
"Through this event, we want to prove to the world four things," says Lim. "First, that Bohol is ready to give all-out support to anyone who has the potential to excel as a world-class competitor. Second, that Bohol knows how to be united, regardless of race, creed or political affiliation. Third, that we can be competitive — in terms of sports, tourism and economic development — all over the world if we put our minds to it and stand united. And lastly, that somewhere in the world, there’s a city in the Philippines — Tagbilaran City — that Filipinos can be proud of as a tourist destination."
A budget of nearly P3 Million was put up by Lim for the blockbuster card where in the main supporting fight, unbeaten Indonesian Victor Mausul defends his WBO Asia-Pacific superfeatherweight title against hometown hero Cesar Amonsot of the Tony Aldeguer stable.
Bohol lyricist Rene Balbin wrote a jingle honoring Bautista to the tune of "Stout Hearted Men" and it will be played on the public address system as the fighter enters the ring in a cloud of smoke. Another Boholano Jerome Sala of "Star-In-A-Million" fame will sing the national anthem and the internationally-acclaimed Laboc Children’s Choir, made up of 24 boys and girls, will sing the provincial hymn. That’s not all. Bobby Soul, lead vocalist of the Platters, will take his turn in the ring to sing "My Prayer" before the fighters are introduced.
"There will be a distinct international flavor to the show," says Lim. "We expect over 25,000 people to watch in the stadium and after the fights, we’ve got a fireworks display to last 10 full minutes without interruption. Negros Oriental Gov. George Arnaiz is sponsoring the display which was voted the best in a fireworks contest in Dumaguete."
The canopy over the ring was brought in from Manila at a cost of about P400,000. Lim says eight men flew in to set up the canopy which will protect the fighters and the canvas from adverse weather conditions even as the outlook is fine and starry tonight. The freight cost alone was P120,000.
Souvenir ID cards with Bautista’s photo and the words "I Believe" will be given to each patron wearing a red shirt and paying P100 for admission.
"This is a concerted effort to make history," says Lim. "We’re doing this not for profit but for history. Our Governor Erico Aumentado and our three Bohol congressmen Edgar Chatto (1st district), Roberto Cajes (2nd district) and Eladio Jala (3rd district) are all supporting this project. We are expecting a huge crowd and some of our guests are Mayor Lito Atienza and PBA commissioner Noli Eala. There will be a big delegation of foreigners so this is our chance to show the world we are a first-class tourist destination."
Lim says "Bakbakan Sa Tagbilaran" is the biggest boxing event ever in Bohol history and marks the province’s bid "to break into the country’s sports map."
Bautista, 19, is coming off a third round stoppage of Felix Murillo Flores of Colombia at the Staples Center in Inglewood last September. His record is an unblemished 17-0 with 13 KOs.
Ameme, 27, is fresh from back-to-back knockout wins over Said Chaku and Mbegu Harnisi. His record is 27-9, with 22 KOs. The well-traveled African turned pro in 1998 when Bautista was only 12 and has fought in Australia, Thailand and Spain.
Mausul outpointed Pratet Sor Thanikul to win the vacant WBO title in Jakarta last April and has a record of 8-0, with 4 KOs. Amonsot, 20, suffered his only pro loss to Simson Butar Butar, an Indonesian, in Jakarta last February and is eager to avenge the setback at Mausul’s expense. Amonsot’s record is 12-1-1, with 9 KOs.