Bautista is set to battle Brazilian "Bomber" Giovanni Andrade in the undercard of Marco Antonio Barrera-Rocky Juarez rematch Sept. 16 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, but the bout is on hold until further tests determine the extent of the Boholano boxer’s injury.
"It’s true that Bautista sustained a shoulder injury," a reliable source confirmed to The Freeman on condition of anonymity.
The source said Bautista was shadow boxing when he complained of shoulder pain and had a difficulty moving his arm. He was then taken to a clinic in LA to undergo X-ray examination.
The radiologist who X-rayed Bautista diagnosed the Candijay, Bohol fighter of suffering a slight hairline fracture in his left collarbone.
The source said the radiologist advised Bautista to see an orthopedic surgeon to undergo further tests as his findings were not conclusive as he just based it on his reading of the X-ray result.
"Bautista will be brought in to an orthopedic surgeon on Monday and have him examined to determine the extent of the injury," said the source.
Although Golden Boy Promotions top officials are yet to make an official announcement with regards to Bautista’s condition, another ALA prodigy in Z "The Dream" Gorres is on standby to take the place of Bautista if ever the latter won’t be able to fight.
Last month, Bautista was supposed to see action against Mexican Alejandro Felix Montiel in the undercard of Manny Pacquiao-Oscar Larios showdown at the Araneta Coliseum, but was forced to pull out of the bout because of a viral infection. He would have been guaranteed a purse of half a million pesos in that match.
If he will be declared physically unfit to take on Andrade, it will cost Bautista more than P1 million in earnings.
"I just hope nothing is serious on his condition," said the source.