Lim assures Bohol to stage Bautistas next WBO defense

If Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista's next WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight title defense will be staged in the Philippines, Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim vowed they will exhaust all ways and means for the fight to be held in Bohol, the beloved hometown of ALA Stable's teenage ring phenomenon.

"We will do everything to have the fight in Bohol if ever Bautista's next defense of his WBO title will be in the Philippines," said Lim, one of Bautista's diehard supporters. "Instead of a profit-making venture in Manila, we'll do it here and give what is due to the Boholanos."

Lim was referring to some boxing personalities in Manila, who are planning to put up a bigtime promotion on November 12 at the Araneta Coliseum featuring Bautista and WBC light flyweight champion Brian Viloria.

Lim said the province of Bohol is capable of putting up P1.5 million needed in staging the blockbuster show as assessed on him by Cebu boxing patron Antonio "Bidoy" L. Aldeguer, who handles Bautista's career.

"In our initial talks, Mr. Aldeguer told me that around P1.5 to P2 million is needed to promote the fight. I can assure we can raise that amount. In fact, we're planning to have a seed money like for instance Tagbilaran and Bohol Province are willing to shell out P500,000 each," said Lim.

"The Boholanos might assume the ticket prices would be very high. They should not think about it because we will subsidize the budget so it will be open to the public for free," added Lim.

Lim stressed they are very eager to have Bautista's next defense right at their own backyard anticipating that this might be the last time the Candijay, Bohol fighter will show his stuff before the eyes of his 'paisanos'.

"We are determined to bring the fight here because this could be the last time Bautista will see action in Bohol," said Lim. "This is also our own way of showing our love to Bautista. We want to let him know that we support him not only through prayers, but also to other means within our reach.

Lim said their tentative schedule is on November 12 possibly at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex.

Bautista became the newest toast of Philippine boxing when the 19-year-old ring executioner pummeled Colombian Felix Flores Murillo into third round submission in the "Double Trouble" card two weeks ago at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.

After his stirring debut in the US mainland, Bautista was flooded with offers, with the province of Bohol, Cebu City and Mandaue City expressing their interest to bankroll Bautista's next defense of his WBO regional belt.

The Boholanos though enjoy a big advantage among the aspirants as Aldeguer earlier pronounced his preference to host Bautista's next ring sortie is Bohol for sentimental reasons.

Meanwhile, Lim revealed Tagbilaran City will soon put up its own version of megadome to be known as the "Big Bug." The estimated cost for the construction of the 5,000-seater sports, convention, and cultural center is P130 million.

"This will be one of the best, if not the best sports center in the Philippines," said Lim, who added the building of the "Big Bug," which boasts of a spacious parking lot, will start either in November or December.