Bautista faces crucial test

CEBU, Philippines - ALA Boxing Gym big boss Antonio “Bidoy” L. Aldeguer believes that Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista is in for the biggest fight of his life when he faces former tormentor Heriberto “Cuate” Ruiz of Mexico in the main event of the highly-anticipated “Pinoy Pride 6: The Grudge Rematch” on June 11 at the Pacific grand ballrom of Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

“Honestly speaking, at first I’m not ready. I want to give him (Bautista) one or two more fights before he gets a rematch with Ruiz, but I saw that Boom Boom really wants it,” said Aldeguer.

Ruiz is best remembered for delivering Bautista’s second defeat in devastating fashion during their November 22, 2008 duel in Las Vegas. The Mexican power-hitter battered a bloodied Bautista to hammer out a lopsided unanimous decision victory.

Reluctant at first, Aldeguer eventually gave his blessings for a return bout between Bautista and Ruiz knowing that his prized ward is not the type of boxer who 'bites more than he could chew.' Also, the highly-esteemed Cebu boxing patron is confident of Boom Boom's capability to deliver his promised revenge.

The other possible reason why Aldeguer made such bold decision is that Bautista is in a string of four impressive wins since losing to Ruiz - all via stoppage, the last was a sensational third round knockout of Mexican Alejandro Barrera last January 29 at Waterfront.

Meanwhile, Bautista showed his fans what they could expect from him come the fight night by holding a public workout last Saturday at Parkmall where he sparred two rounds each against stablemate Rey Melligen, younger brother of welterweight prospect Mark Jason Melligen, and super bantamweight fighter Genesis Servania.

“Ready nako ug naghinamhinam nako makig-away niya,” said Bautista.

ALA Stable trainer Edmund Villamor, for his part, said Bautista is now 90 percent ready to rumble and that they have already finished formulating a decisive fight plan to bring down the Mexican visitor to his knees.

Bautista (30-2, 23KOs) and Ruiz (46-10-2, 28KOs) will slug it out for the IBF International featherweight title.

In the equally-exciting undercards of the slambang show presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, WBO Asia-Pacific Youth junior welterweight champion Jason Pagara will go up against a Latino opponent for the first time in Juan Carlos Gallegos of Mexico, while WBC Silver flyweight titlist Edrin ‘The Sting’ Dapudong will take on Benja “The Rhinoceros” Loemoli of Indonesia.  ( FREEMAN NEWS)