WBO exec says Ameme a tough test for Bautista

World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific president Leon Panoncillo said Obote Ameme is a formidable fighter and that the Tanzanian "Thunder" is out to give reigning WBO AsPac bantamweight champion Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista a tough test when two pugs clash in a blockbuster showdown on November 19 at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex in Tagbilaran City.

"I have mandated Rey Bautista to defend his title to Obote Ameme because he (Ameme) is more than deserving as the challenger. It will be a tough test for Bautista because he is facing a fighter who is strong and tough," said Panoncillo, who handpicked Ameme to battle Bautista.

Unfazed by the formidability of the opponent of their beloved ring hero, Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim remained in confident mood, saying Bautista will surely come out with his fists blaze and demolish the East African warrior come the big and historic night for the Boholanos.

"If ever Bautista has to lose a fight - I would rather that it happens here in Bohol among his paisanos, but I believe that the Pride of Bohol will not let this happen. I predict Boom-Boom to win," said Lim, who is instrumental for putting up the multi-million show in partnership with the province of Bohol led by Gov. Erico Aumentado and the Sandugo Foundation.

The 27-year-old Ameme, a well-traveled ring gladiator having reached the shores of Thailand, Spain, and Australia prior to his maiden trip to the Philippines, sports a 27-9 win-loss record with 22 wins by knockout - a testament to the African's sledgehammer fists.

Aside from his deadly power, the seven-year veteran Ameme also boasts of a vast experience as he had already fought - albeit for a losing cause - against top caliber opponents in the likes of WBO bantamweight titlist Ratanachai Sor Vorapin, two-time world challenger Nedal Huseein, and PABA crown-holder Poonsawat Kratingdaengym.

Bautista, on the other hand, has also conquered several foreign lands in just his two-year pro career. The Candijay, Bohol boxing gem racked up sensational victories in the United States, Thailand, Hawaii, South Korea, Indonesia, and Japan to accumulate a frightening 17-0 win-loss record spiked with 13KOs so far.

In his last two fights, the ALA teensgae sensation stopped Mexican Gilberto Bolanos in the fifth round, before scoring a brilliant third-round stoppage of Colombian Felix Flores Murillo last September 19 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

In the co-feature of what is considered as the biggest and grandest boxing carnival so far in the history of Bohol, Tagbilaran's hometown idol Czar Amonsot will challenge defending champion Victor Mausol of Indonesia for the WBO AsPac super featherweight belt.

Six other Bohol homegrown talents will strut their wares in the equally-exciting undercards of the explosive event.

They are RP No.3 light flyweight contender Along Dinoy, Arnel Tadena, Alex John Banal, Glenn Masicampo, Dan Carlos, and Tiny Tyson.

Dinoy is pitted with RP ranked No.8 super flyweight Rene Bañares, Tadena faces Gil Abad, Banal battles Ronnie Saguing, Masicampo takes on Billy Bullecer, Carlos tackles faces Chris Alag, while Tyson tangles with Julius Cabusas. In the curtain raise, Talisay City's Rashid Bacus squares off with Jun Grumo.