Amonsot inserted backin Pacquiao undercard; Domingo tapped to replace Bautista

After few days of uncertainty, the promoters of the "Mano-A-Mano Philippines vs. Mexico" card finally switched the green light for ALA Stable star Czar Amonsot to battle Silverio Ortiz in the undercard of Manny Pacquiao's WBC International super featherweight title defense against Oscar Larios on July 2 at the historic Araneta Coliseum.

"It's already confirmed. Amonsot will fight Silverio Ortiz in the undercard of Manny Pacquiao," said Pacquiao's close associate and confidant Rex "Wakee" Salud.

In a related development, Salud announced that reigning RP bantamweight champion Michael Domingo has officially been tapped to replace ALA prodigy Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista.

Bautista was set to face Alejandro Felix Montiel in the event's second most significant bout next to the Pacquiao-Larios war, but the Boholano boxer was pulled out of the July 2 card by his handlers after he was hospitalized due to high fever and heavy coughing late Sunday night.

Bautista is expected to be discharged from Cebu Doctors' Hospital today but because of the proximity of the fight, Team ALA deemed it unwise to make a gamble knowing that their prized ward is physically unfit to show his stuff.

Ortiz, on the other hand, was originally booked to slug it out with ex-OPBF super featherweight champion Randy Suico, but the Cebuano hard-puncher withdrew from the star-studded show because of a world title shot against unbeaten WBA lightweight titlist Juan Diaz on July 15 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The promoters subsequently commissioned the services of Amonsot to replace Suico, but the handlers of Ortiz held the match hostage by sending feelers that their boxer is not bent on facing off a southpaw of Amonsot's caliber.

However, Salud, said they were able to convince the Mexican camp to push through with the fight by offering a substantial increase on Ortiz's prize money.

"We really explored all ways and means for the fight to push through. We told the handlers of Ortiz that we're willing to increase the purse of their boxer and fortunately, they accepted our offer," said Salud.

Ortiz and his team are expected to be in RP a day or two from now, Salud added.

Amonsot's presence will surely add glow to the multi-million spectacle with Bautista being reduced to a mere spectator.