Mexican fighters Antonio (Barrio) Meza and Jovanny (Bambino) Soto arrived the other day, exuding confidence they’ll dispose of their Filipino opponents in Third Force Promotions’ blockbuster “Payback” card at the Araneta Coliseum this Sunday morning.
Third Force president Noli Eala said Meza trained with Luis Maldonado who challenges IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire in a Connecticut bout that will be shown via a satellite feed on jumbo screens in the Big Dome during Sunday’s extravaganza.
“The Mexicans look like they’re in great shape,” said Eala. “If their physique is an indication, they’ve trained very hard. They didn’t come to lose. I expect total war in the ring.”
Meza’s trainer is former IBF minimumweight champion Edgar (Tun-Tun) Cardenas who retired from the ring in 2004 after a 13-year career.
But ALA stable owner Tony Aldeguer said Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista is fit and ready to destroy Meza in the 12-round main event for the WBO Intercontinental superbantamweight crown.
Bautista, 21, is coming off a shock first round knockout loss to WBO champion Daniel Ponce de Leon in Sacramento last August. It was the first defeat in his career. Now, he wants payback at Meza’s expense.
“I guarantee Boom Boom is a different fighter, mentally and physically,” said Aldeguer. “He is determined to prove himself all over again. There was never any question about his ability. Sure, he was knocked out by Ponce de Leon. That happens in boxing. What’s important is how you stand up after losing.”
Aldeguer said the dangerous thing about Meza is no one in Bautista’s camp has ever studied his style on tape.
“We don’t know what to expect,” said Aldeguer. “(Matchmaker) Sampson (Lewkowicz) told us he’s a stand-up fighter so we can expect a lot of fireworks. The WBC rates Meza No. 19 and Boom Boom No. 23. That’s an indication of how Meza is regarded.”
Meza, 24, has a record of 23-3, with 16 KOs. Last June, he stopped Romel Aguilar to capture the WBC Fecombox 122-pound title in Mexicali.
“Boom Boom has matured since his defeat,” said Aldeguer. “I think he’ll know how to handle pressure much better now. He won’t be overeager. He’ll use his head. We’ll see a new Boom Boom in the ring.”
Bautista dismissed speculation he would retire after his stunning setback. “It’s not true I was thinking of retiring,” he said in Pilipino. “I never stopped training and I want payback because I know the fans were disappointed in my last fight. I’ll make up for it against Meza.”
Aldeguer said Soto is also in for rough sailing against superflyweight A. J. Banal in the companion 12-rounder for the WBO youth title.
Soto, 23, has a 25-7-1 record, with 20 KOs, compared to Banal’s 15-0-1, with 12 KOs.
Trainer Freddie Roach once said Banal, 18, is the country’s best bet for another world championship. What drives Banal is the dream of freeing his family from poverty. As a kid, he used to drive a “trisikad” at dawn, sell rice cake and repack plastic bags for fisherman – all for P50 to buy food for the day.
Indonesian Jack Amisa, who faces unbeaten minimumweight Milan (Milenyo) Melindo of Cagayan de Oro in the undercard, also arrived the other day. Michael Domingo’s opponent Anthony Mathias of Tanzania planed in yesterday.
Meanwhile, Eala announced brisk “earlybird” sales in the US of the “Payback” program over Netvision via webcast. So far, more than 10,000 subscribers paid $5.95 to receive the feed from Manila. The fee will be $8.95 on the day of the fight.
The fights will also be shown to pay-per-view subscribers of Solar which is ABC-5’s tie-up partner.