Boom Boom’s redemption job isn’t finished

It’s been a year since Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista started on the long road to recovery of his pride since being flattened in one round by the dangerous Daniel Ponce de Leon in the World Cup of Boxing. On that card, Filipinos had swept the previous five fights, until Bautista was stunned by Ponce de Leon, Bautista’s first loss and first knockout.

Since then, Bautista has been busy rebuilding his reputation as one of the best young super bantamweights in the business. In the past year, he has fought twice here in the Philippines, keeping the WBO inter-continental super bantamweight title he won over Marino Montiel in February of 2007. Bautista defeated Antonio Meza by unanimous decision in December of last year, then started to hit his stride, battering Genaro Camargo senseless in two rounds in April of this year.

In Eden Marquez (16 wins, 3 losses and 3 draws), Bautista meets a fighter searching for his identity. Marquez has been fighting in different weight divisions since 2006, and has met moderate success.

In his last fight – a three-round demolition of Ernesto Rivera (who had 18 wins and 20 losses listed in his record), Marquez weighed 130 pounds. “Anestecista” as he calls himself, started his boxing year at 122 pounds, losing the IBF and WBO Mexican super bantamweight titles by unanimous decision to Ernesto Rivera.

Marquez has never fought outside Mexico, and will definitely be in hostile territory. Bautista is out to quickly prove that he is the dangerous fighter who has knocked out 18 of his first 25 opponents, and is fighting in front of a crowd aching for success after witnessing AJ Banal wilt in his last fight.

Marquez will take it straight to Bautista, who will try to dictate the tempo, and perhaps go for a knockout in the middle rounds. Bautista, a mere 22 years old, has said he is already ready for a rematch against the fading Daniel Ponce de Leon, must first make sure no accidents happen tonight at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City. He will restore his confidence in himself, and his countrymen’s pride in him.

Thursday, the Philippine Sports Commission and Philippine Olympic Committee held a reception for the Olympic delegation to the Beijing Olympic Games at the Rizal Memorial badminton hall. PSC chairman Butch Ramirez gave some insights into the Olympic experience, and said the learning from the Olympics will be very helpful.

“Our athletes were mentally burned out,” Ramirez explained, right before leading the parade of the delegation, which featured gold medalist Willy Wang and the rest of the successful wushu team, an exhibition event at the Games. “Unlike other countries, where the athletes are used to being at that level, our athletes still felt the pressure, and were a bit nervous. You can’t afford that at that level.”

Ramirez sat down beside former world heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield during the boxing eliminations, seeing Harry Tañamor outpointed in his very first bout.

“That’s the one thing about the Olympics I don’t like,” Ramirez quoted Holyfield as saying. “I’ve seen the bouts where the better boxer lost. Once they score, they start running and hiding.”

Ramirez has started crafting a new plan in his mind. Even with the impending Senate investigation (which will probably not produce any new laws, anyway) and the never-ending problems with an obstinate Pagcor, the PSC chair is determined to implement the plans that need to be in place for us to ultimately reap gold at the London Games.

“This early, we have to start,” the former teacher from Davao explained. “We cannot let anything get in our way anymore.”