Bautista back in ring vs Brazilian

Bohol boxing sensation Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista looks forward to a brand-new start when he battles Brazilian bomber Giovanni Andrade on Dec. 2 at the St. Peter Times Forum in Tampa, Florida.

"The opponent for Bautista will be the same guy we wanted for September. He is ready and able for Dec. 2 in Tampa Bay, Florida," said Golden Boy Promotions vice president and matchmaker Eric Gomez in his e-mail to Bautista’s manager Michael Aldeguer.

Bautista was supposed to face Andrade in the undercard of the Marco Antonio Barrera-Rocky Juarez rematch last Sept. 16 in Las Vegas, but the Boholano ring star sustained a hairline fracture in his right clavicle during training.

Bautista was also forced to withdraw from his fight against Mexican Alejandro Felix Montiel in the undercard of Manny Pacquiao-Oscar Larios showdown last July 2 at the Araneta Coliseum because of viral infection.

Now back in the groove, Bautista can’t wait to show his ring savvy again. The last time he saw action was last May 20 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles where he knocked out Roberto Bonilla in round three. — E. Villaruel