Boom Boom wants revenge

MANILA, Philippines - Fresh from demolishing Indonesia’s Maragin Marbun, newly crowned interim WBC International featherweight champion Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista said recently his dream is to avenge his first round knockout loss to Daniel Ponce de Leon and he’s even willing to face the Mexican in a rematch without pay.

But ALA Boxing Gym owner Tony Aldeguer said he’s holding Bautista back from rushing into a return bout against the former WBO superbantamweight champion who decisioned Gerry Peñalosa in 2007.

“Ponce de Leon is Boom Boom’s main target,” said Aldeguer. “Like Boom Boom, Ponce de Leon is now fighting as a featherweight. That’s Boom Boom’s dream – to avenge his defeat to Ponce de Leon whom he fought with pain in his left hand. He’s learned a lot since losing that fight. It’ll be a big deal to bring Ponce de Leon to Manila or Cebu for a fight but if we can get sponsors to support the promotion, I think it can be done.”

Another fighter in Bautista’s radar is Mexico’s Heriberto Ruiz, the only other fighter to beat him. Ruiz, 32, scored an eight-round unanimous decision over Bautista in Las Vegas last November. After the fight, Bautista revealed he felt pain in his left hand that was later found with a fractured scaphoid. He underwent surgery to repair the damage last February and orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Tammy de los Reyes grafted a bone taken from the hip and inserted a screw in his left wrist during the delicate operation.

Ruiz has also moved to the featherweight division and is booked to face Jackson Asiku in Australia on Nov. 6. He’s coming off a third round knockout over Cristobal Teran in Sonora last June. Ruiz’ record is 42-8-2, with 24 KOs compared to Ponce de Leon’s mark of 37-2, with 31 KOs.

Aldeguer said he plans two more fights for Bautista before unleashing his fury on the likes of Ruiz or Ponce de Leon.

Bautista is pencilled to battle WBC International featherweight titleholder Rachamongkol Sor Pleonchit of Thailand in his next fight, which will likely be three months from now. Rachamongkol was supposed to be Bautista’s opponent at the Waterfront Hotel ballroom last Friday but the Thai backed out because of a training injury. Marbun was brought in as his replacement.

Rachamongkol, 26, won the vacant WBC International crown by stopping In Suk Song in Osan City, South Korea, last June. His record is 8-1, with five KOs. He was once halted by Filipino Ariel Delgado two years ago.

Bautista said he’s comfortable fighting at 126 pounds and while he’ll take on anyone his manager (Aldeguer’s son Michael) puts in front of him, he admitted a craving for Ruiz and Ponce de Leon.

“My confidence is back because my left hand is okay again,” said Bautista. “I’m not in a hurry for another world title fight. I’m still young (23). I just have to work hard in the gym. Discipline is important. I’ll fight anyone Sir Michael tells me to fight, anywhere, anytime. I’ll just wait for my time. Of course, I’m always thinking of Ruiz and Ponce de Leon because they’re the only ones who have beaten me. I want to pay them back for what they did to me.”

Against Marbun, Bautista used his left more than his right to set up the Indonesian for the kill. Marbun went down twice – once in the fourth round – before referee Bruce McTavish stepped in to halt the carnage at 1:25 of the seventh. Bautista did most of the damage with his left. But while he showed improvement in his stand-up defense holding both hands high, Bautista still had the tendency to leave himself open for counters when moving in. He finished the fight with cuts in the corner and under his right eye.

Bautista was ahead in the three judges’ scorecards when the fight was stopped. Teddy Alivio had it 59-55, Salven Lagumbay 58-55 and Edward Ligas 57-56. The win raised Bautista’s record to 27-2, with 20 KOs. The loss dropped Marbun’s mark to 19-6-1, with 7 KOs.

In the undercard, superflyweight Marjun Yap scored a technical knockout win when veteran Pramunsak Posuwan of Thailand retired with cramps in the left leg at the start of the 10th round. Yap, 20, led in two of the three judges scorecards at the time of Posuwan’s surrender. Ligas saw it 86-85 and Edgar Olalo, 87-84 for Yap while Lagumbay scored it 86-85 for the Thai. Posuwan, 40, is a two-time Olympian who once fought Jose (Carita) Lopez for the WBO 115-pound title.

In other tenners, lightweight Czar Amonsot pounded out a unanimous decision over Thailand-based Jesus Muzaka Singwancha of the Congo and another lightweight Jason Pagara beat Thailand’s Decha Kokiet-Gym also via a unanimous verdict.

Once hailed as Manny Pacquiao’s heir apparent, Bautista faces an uphill climb back to the top. He was the WBO’s No. 1 superbantamweight contender two years ago and fans thought he was Pacquiao’s second coming. But Bautista lost his focus with all the hype. He fought recklessly against Ponce de Leon and paid dearly for it. Bautista was too proud to disclose the pain in his left hand, a throbbing that came from sparring with Peñalosa in preparing for Ponce de Leon. He continued to fight, not wanting to let the fans down - and that, too, he paid for dearly.

Now, Bautista appears to have mellowed. He’s become more mature in his outlook. Bautista realizes he’s not Superman and certainly not in Pacquiao’s class - at least, for the moment. Trouncing Marbun convincingly was a big first step. Bautista has a long way to go before winning a world title with two major roadblocks looming as obstacles. The road blocks are personified by Ruiz and Ponce de Leon.

Bautista still booms

REY “Boom-Boom” Bautista knocked out Indonesian champion Maragin “Dinamita” Marbun in the seventh round and wrested the interim World Boxing Council International featherweight title last night at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.

It was Bautista’s first fight since a loss to Heriberto Ruiz in Las Vegas last year.

Bautista stopped Marbun at 1:25 of the seventh round with a devastating left straight after rocking him with another left.

The 23-year-old Bautista was sidelined for 11 months after undergoing surgery and rehabilitation on his left wrist. However, he showed no signs of the injury as he mostly used his left fist.

“He did well. He did according to what we expected. The important thing is that he didn’t feel pain on his left hand. But he still has a long way to go,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu after the fight.

Bautista used his left jab as his main weapon and occasionally threw left hooks instead of his stronger right hand.

The Boholano fighter patiently stalked Marbun and didn’t rush in for the knockout and it was the Indonesian who was the more aggressive fighter as he threw wild combinations.

But Bautista was unaffected by the flurry of punches from Marbun.

Bautista showed the strength of his reconstructed left wrist as he threw a heavy left punch that knocked down the Marbun in the fourth round.

“I was hesitant at first but there was no pain (on my left hand). I still lack my speed. But someday I’ll retain it,” said Bautista. “He was strong I just endured his punches. I just got lucky.”

Bautista improved to 27-2 with 20 knockouts, while the 24-year-old Marbun fell to 19-6-1 with seven knockouts.

“He was more patient and he read his opponent better but he still had the same aggressiveness. He showed that he can utilize his left hand with his jabs and hooks,” said Aldeguer.

On the other hand, up-and-coming fighter Marjun Yap showed that youth is better than experience as he defeated 39-year-old veteran Pramuansak Posuwan via a 10th-round stoppage due to an injury.

ALA boys Czar Amonsot and Jason Pagara also won by decision.



Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 17, 2009.

Boom-Boom returns; Czar fights Jesus tonight

By Edri K. Aznar



IN HIS much anticipated ring comeback, ALA Gym star Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista battles Indonesian champion Maragin “Dinamita” Marbun for the interim World Boxing Council featherweight title tonight at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in ALA Promotions “Hamon sa Kampeon” boxing extravaganza.

Bautista recently came from an 11-month hiatus after being sidelined because of a surgery on a career-threatening wrist injury.

Before that, Bautista lost his last fight against Mexican veteran Heriberto Ruiz via a unanimous decision last Nov. 22 that made his supporters question his ability to win a world title.

However, the 23-year-old Boholano fighter is set to prove to his critics that he still has what it takes to become a future world champion by making a statement tonight.

Both Bautista and Marbun promised an explosive clash as both fighters plan to knock each other out.

While Baustita has been sidelined and lost his last fight, the 24-year-old Marbun won his last seven fights.

Bautista has 26 wins and two defeats with 19 knockouts, while Marbun is 19-5 and a draw with seven stoppages.

ALA boys Czar Amonsot and Jason Pagara will be suiting up for the undercard.

Amonsot will be facing World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific super feather weight titlist Jesus Muzaka of Congo, while 17-year-old Pagara is clashing with Decha Bank-luaygym of Thailand.

Both fights are scheduled for 10-rounds.

Amonsot is eager to redeem himself following a lackluster showing in his last bout against African Morris Chule, but Muzaka won’t be an easy assignment for the 24-year-old Boholano fighter because the Thailand-based African has a 14-fight winning streak.

Included in the fight card is an exciting bout between young boxing talent Marjun Yap and veteran former world title contender Pramuansak Posuwan.

The preliminary bouts will start at 5 p.m. while the featured bouts will begin at 6. The boxing event will be shown at 9 p.m. on Studio 23.


Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on October 16, 2009.

'Boom Boom' clears the air

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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.

Boom wants back

By Edri K. Aznar

AFTER suffering a career-threatening wrist injury, Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista has been working his way in tip-top shape, eager for his ring return. Now, Bautista will have a chance to get back into the limelight with a fight on Oct. 16 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.

Bautista has been keeping his left wrist injury quiet since 2007, when he was prospected to be the next big thing in boxing, for fear that he won’t be allowed to fight again.

However, it proved detrimental as the injured wrist, which was operated last February, almost ended his career because the infection could have spread.

Light training

After finishing his physical therapy rehabilitation at the Perpetual Succour Hospital, the 23-year-old Bautista has already started light training at the ALA Gym. He has been working on his footwork and conditioning in the past three months.

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“So far, so good, he has been hitting the bag already. He also did some minor sparring,” said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer in an interview with Sun.Star Cebu.

Aldguer expects a more mature Bautista because he believes that his ward has learned a lot with all the troubles that have plagued his career.

“He has the heart and has always been very determined. He never complains. Hopefully, he has learned a lot with what has happened to his career. He has been going back to the gym a lot. He has never stopped training even with a cast in his arm.

Expect a different ‘Boom-Boom’ on fight night,” said Aldeguer.

Still strong

Some fighters will never be the same after suffering a major injury, but Aldeguer believes that Bautista will still be as explosive as he once was.

“Knowing Boom-Boom, if he had the rotten bone and fought and endured the pain, then why not now?” he said.

Aldeguer is confident that Bautista still has what it takes to become a future world champion despite the setbacks in his young professional boxing career.

“If you hit rock bottom there’s nowhere to go but up,” said Aldeguer.

Aldeguer said that Bautista will possibly be fighting for a regional title in this fight, so that he will be back in the world rankings.

Also projected to see action in the huge Cebu boxing card are ALA Boys Czar Amonsot, Milan Melindo and Jason Pagara.


Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on August 26, 2009.