TAGBILARAN, Bohol – The intentional deception by an unscrupulous Mexican agent has caused confusion and done damage to an otherwise exceptional event by the country’s most reputable boxing promoter. And they won’t take it sitting down.
Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista had not fought in his home province since November of 2005, and had had a tough couple of years since an undiagnosed floating bone fragment in his wrist derailed a potential world title bid in 2008. The Candijay, Bohol native has been successful since then, knocking out five of his last six opponents, and was ready to take another leap back onto the world stage.
Bautista, the reigning IBF international featherweight champion sporting a record of 32 wins and 2 losses with 24 knockouts, was scheduled to fight Genaro Poblanito Garcia Saturday night. Garcia, who had fought eight world champions en route to an impressive 38-win, 8-loss record with 22 knockouts. It would have been a big challenge for Boom Boom to face a hardened veteran of that caliber in his own backyard.
But that’s not who showed up.
Another Genaro Garcia, nicknamed “Panterita” (born Genaro Garcia de Tiaxcala), arrived here unaccompanied Wednesday night after briefly getting lost in Manila. This Genaro Garcia had a mediocre record of 10 wins and 11 losses, getting knocked out in all of his defeats. Moreover, he was a lightweight, one division heavier than Bautista.
At the press conference, this Garcia mentioned that he was not the fighter in all the promotional materials, and this was confirmed by international referee Bruce McTavish, who would be working the fight and had officiated a fight with the real Genaro Garcia and did not recognize this one.
Naturally, the ensuing confusion caused an uproar and had to be ironed out. It was discovered that the Mexican agent named Victor Hugo Correa Cedillo and his son had purposely misrepresented themselves claiming it was the other Genaro Garcia who was coming to the Philippines and sending a ringer, instead. This Garcia was overweight, out of shape, didn’t have a trainer and would not stand a chance against a fired up Bautista. In fact, after the weigh-in, which he did not pass, he even went on an eating binge, gaining even more weight.
Apparently, the agent has had the reputation of deceiving promoters and falsifying claims in their countries, and has been exposed before. World Boxing Council head Jose Sulaiman confirmed this and has promised to initiate an investigation.
Meanwhile, ALA Promotions, though not at fault, took responsibility and did the honorable thing, letting the truth out and reimbursing tickets sold. ALA’s top officials, Tony Aldeguer and his son Michael, took a huge loss financially, but salvaged their dignity and professionalism in the process. This was simply not the way they did business. They would take the hit for the sake of the fans who, like them, have been victimized and put on the spot by this disreputable Mexican agent.
Nevertheless, the fights had to go on, and the undercard was spectacular. Aging veteran bantamweight Michael “Bruce Lee” Domingo in a make-or-break fight to determine whether he would retire or not, knocked out Marvin Tampus with a body shot halfway through the first round. Tampus pounded the canvas in pain, unable to get up. Up-and-coming light welterweight Jayson Pagara likewise dispatched Frans “Hands of Stone” Yarangga of Indonesia by KO early on. And in the spectacular supporting main event, Genesis “Azukal” Servania went toe-to-toe against an agile, tough complete fighter in Kenya’s Nick Otieno, hammering out a unanimous decision. Each fighter kept the pressure on non-stop throughout 10 rounds.
In the main event, Garcia, clearly a poor fighter, tried to use his head to keep Bautista at bay, throwing sloppy punches with his head down and greatly reducing the action. In the second round, a sharp Bautista took his time, found an opening, and sent Garcia to the canvas with a combination to the head. A little later, Bautista caught the plodding Mexican in a corner, fired another salvo, and the fight was over.
“Even though he wasn’t the one I was supposed to fight, I didn’t want to disappoint the fans, my countrymen and provincemates,” Bautista said in the vernacular after the fight. “My training did not change, I wanted to show I am ready, and Boholanos will face anybody.”
Bautista even called out the “real” Genaro Garcia, saying he was ready to fight him any time.
It is not clear whether or not the Genaro Garcia who came to the Philippines was in on the scam, but it is suspected that he was, considering his conditioning and absence of a trainer. ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, which broadcasted the fight, both issued statements denouncing the deception. ALA is also taking legal action against Victor Hugo Correa Cedilla and will move to have him banned at the very least by the Mexican Boxing Commission. This was an affront to the integrity of the Aldeguers, who have bred several world champions and continue to find talent and bring honor to the country, and to Filipino fight fans.
ALA Promotions already took the high road and sacrificed a great deal to protect the fans as much as possible under the circumstances. In addition, they have taken the necessary steps to go after the culprits, and ensure that such malicious maneuverings never happen to Filipino boxers, promoters and fans again.
It was simply a matter of honor.
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The Philippines has another world champion in bodybuilding. UNIFIED’s Roman “Dondon” Cortuna topped the 75-kilogram category at the Arnold Classic Bodybuilding Championship in Columbus, Ohio early Sunday morning, Manila time. Cortuna is a two-time Mr. Universe and was the country’s lone representative to the competition. Up to two weeks before his departure, UNIFIED was still raising funds for his trip.