Pinoy Pride 6 Boom Boom seeks redemption

CEBU, Philippines - After three years full of setbacks and pain, ALA Boxing Gym stalwart Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista yearns to regain lost pride and glamour as he faces his former tormentor Heriberto “Cuate” Ruiz of Mexico in the main event of the sixth installment of the Pinoy Pride series dubbed as “Grudge Rematch” on June 11 at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

In a news conference formally launching the mega-fight event yesterday at the Diamond Hotel Suites and Residences, ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer couldn't hide his joy of making the fight happen and bringing it here in Cebu.

“This is the fight that everyone is waiting for,” said Aldeguer. “It took us almost a year in negotiating with the camp of Ruiz and we are happy to offer this fight that could be one of the biggest fight happening this year in the Philippines.”

The 33-year-old Ruiz is best remembered for delivering Bautista's second devastating career defeat on November 22, 2008 in Las Vegas. The Mexican battered a bloodied Bautista to go home with a lopsided unanimous decision win.

But the pride of Candijay-Bohol belittled Ruiz's dominating performance against him saying that he was not a hundred percent at that time as he suffered a grueling pain in his left fist caused by an injury from his first round knockout loss to Daniel Ponce de Leon.

“Tan-awon gani nako nga mas sayun pa siya ni (Alejandro) Barrera,” said Bautista. “Dili man kusug iyang kumo swerte lang siya kay sakit ako kamot unya gulang pud siya kay mogamit og head-butt ug gi-lowblow ko niya.”Aside from his thirst for revenge, Bautista also has added motivation in defeating Ruiz as the IBF International featherweight title is at stake in this match.

In the supporting bout, 19-year-old light welterweight star Jason Pagara will once again be put to a major test as he battles Puerto Rican knockout artist Javier “Sote” Monserrate.

Also set to watch out for is rising star Edrin “Sting” Dapudong of Braveheart Stable, who will try to prove he is worthy of a multi-year contract with ALA Promotions as he slugs it out with Indonesian interim flyweight champion Benja “Rhinoceros” Loemoli. (FREEMAN)