'Boom Boom' clears the air

MANILA, Philippines - After nearly a year’s layoff, once world-rated Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista is out for redemption and the first obstacle in his climb back to prominence is Indonesia’s Marangin (Dinamita) Marbun whom he faces in a scheduled 12-round bout for the vacant interim WBC International featherweight crown at the Waterfront Hotel ballroom in Cebu City on Oct. 16.

It remains to be seen if Bautista, 23, will be hampered by the ring rust resulting from an 11-month hiatus. Last February, he underwent surgery to repair the fractured scaphoid – the bone of the thumb side of the carpus that is the largest in the proximal row – in his left hand. The operation was performed by orthopaedic hand surgeon Dr. Tammy de los Reyes at the Manila Doctors Hospital.

In contrast, Marbun has been extraordinarily active, engaging in five fights this year. He is unbeaten in his last eight outings and has a record of 19-5-1, with seven KOs. Of his five defeats, only one came inside the distance when he lost to Duangpetch Saengmorakot in the sixth round in Surat Thani, Thailand, two years ago.

Marbun, 24, is determined to make good in his third Philippine assignment. He previously lost to Glenn Porras in Kidapawan and Ciso Morales in Tubod, both on points.

ALA Gym owner Antonio Aldeguer told The STAR yesterday Bautista is ready to barge back into the world ratings after losing an eight-round decision to Mexico’s Heriberto Ruiz in Las Vegas last November. The loss snapped a streak of three straight wins that followed his first-round knockout setback to Daniel Ponce de Leon in a WBO superbantamweight title bout in 2007.

“After one or two recovery fights, Boom Boom wants a rematch with Ruiz then he’ll go after his old nemesis Ponce de Leon,” said Aldeguer.

More than just beating Marbun, Aldeguer said Bautista wants to clear the air on the status of his career, which critics are saying has reached an ebb.

Aldeguer said Bautista suffered a career-threatening injury in his left hand while sparring with Gerry Peñalosa at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles two years ago.

“Boom Boom was already having pains in his left hand when he fought Ponce de Leon but he never told us for fear of having the fight cancelled,” revealed Aldeguer. “He continued to keep it a secret – again for fear that people might say he was using the injury as an alibi for his first round knockout loss to de Leon.”

Aldeguer said Bautista fought with pain in his next three fights against Antonio Meza, Genaro Camargo and Eden Marquez – whom he beat. “On several occasions during sparring, his trainer noticed that Boom Boom would rarely jab or hardly use his left hand,” related Aldeguer. “An X-ray was then taken of his wrist and the initial finding was just a slight sprain and a pain killer (Arcoxia) was given to ease the swelling and the pain. It worked temporarily but the pain got back and it was worse when he last fought and lost to Ruiz.”

Aldeguer said a series of X-Rays and thorough examination confirmed the non-union of the fractured scahoid. The surgery involved a bone graft and inserting a screw in the left wrist. “It was an agonizing experience for Boom Boom since there was no assurance he could fight again – until a final assessment six months after the operation,” continued Aldeguer.

Last August, Dr. de los Reyes cleared Bautista to resume training but said if the pain recurred, another surgery may be necessary. X-Rays and CT-scans showed a clean repair job. In training, Bautista has felt no pain and doctors attributed it to his dedication in undergoing five months of daily therapy. Aldeguer said the smooth sailing in training camp has given Bautista renewed confidence.

“This only proves how determined he is to get back to his old form and it’s not to gain sympathy,” stressed Aldeguer. “It’s going to be a hard and long way back to gaining his former stature but Boom Boom is going to make it at all costs.”

Bautista was initially pencilled to take on WBC International featherweight titlist Rachamongkol Sor Pleonchit but the Thai was injured in training and was replaced by Marbun who was described by Indonesian matchmaker Temuzin Rambing as a credible opponent.

Bautista’s biggest win so far was a 12-round decision over Argentina’s Sergio Medina in Las Vegas in 2007. He floored Medina in the sixth round and survived a standing eight-count in the 11th to carve out a hard-earned win on points. It was Bautista’s sixth victory on US soil.

Bautista was once ranked No. 1 in the superbantamweight honor roll but because of inactivity, his name no longer appears in the ratings of any world governing body. It’ll be an uphill battle for recognition by Bautista whose record is 26-2, with 19 KOs but Aldeguer said the mission is possible. The first step is to win convincingly over Marbun.