Boom Boom in line for Vegas card

Superbantamweight contender Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista, fresh from scoring a fourth round stoppage of Brazilian veteran Giovanni Andrade, is in line to fight for the world title in the undercard of the Oscar de la Hoya-Floyd Mayweather main event at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in May.

De la Hoya, who owns Bautista’s promotional rights, was impressed with the Filipino’s performance against Andrade and may arrange for Boom Boom to see action in the blockbuster card highlighting the Golden Boy’s defense of the World Boxing Council superwelterweight crown in his swan song.

De la Hoya, Sugar Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins entered the ring to congratulate Bautista after Andrade quit on his stool in Tampa, Florida, last Saturday night.

Bautista, 20, will arrive in Manila on a Philippine Airlines jet from Los Angeles tomorrow then take the 10:30 a.m. connecting flight to Cebu.

ALA stable owner Tony Aldeguer, whose son Michael is Bautista’s manager, said he’s not rushing a title shot.

"I want Boom Boom to fight once more before May," said Aldeguer who skipped going to Tampa to attend to a family obligation and arrange for the funeral of his fighter A. J. Banal’s 64-year-old father Hipolito. "It could be on Feb. 10 in the US or if it pushes through, on Feb. 17 in Golden Boy’s planned Philippines versus Mexico World Cup with Fernando Montiel defending the world superflyweight title against Z Gorres in Manila or Cebu. Boom Boom likes to be independent so we’ll figure out what is the best option."

Aldeguer said Bautista was patient and composed in blasting Andrade into submission. "Andrade was scared stiff," added Aldeguer. "He admitted that Boom Boom’s punches felt like he was being stabbed. He was hit on the chest and couldn’t breathe."

Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim said Bautista’s impressive victory reinforced his belief that Boom Boom is destined to be a world champion. "He performed very well," said Lim who saw the fight on TV in Manila. "He didn’t allow Andrade to move around. He showed he’s ready to go for the championship."

Aldeguer said Bautista’s ultimate target is the World Boxing Organization superbantamweight title now held by Mexico ’s Daniel Ponce de Leon whose record is 30-1, with 28 KOs. But there are rumors Ponce de Leon may relinquish the throne to move up to the featherweight division, leaving the title vacant for Bautista and the next available leading contender to dispute.

Bautista’s win over Andrade raised his record to 21-0, with 16 KOs. The loss dropped Andrade’s mark to 52-10, with 43 KOs.

De la Hoya rolled out the red carpet for Bautista in the US and even provided the fighter a stretch limousine in Tampa. He described the 20-year-old Bautista as "one very special fighter who is considered the next Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines, nothing can get any bigger than this."

Bautista caught a flu virus and withdrew from a fight against Alejandro Montiel in the Pacquiao-Oscar Larios undercard at the Araneta Coliseum last July. Then, he fractured his right collarbone in training, forcing the postponement of his Sept. 16 fight against Andrade to last Saturday.