'Pinoy Pride X': Boom Boom: I will make Mendoza eat his words

CEBU, Philippines - ALA Gym mainstay Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista warned Mexican Miguel Mendoza that the latter will eat his own words as they face each other in the main event of the highly anticipated 'Pinoy Pride X' tomorrow night at the Hoops Dome in Brgy. Gun-ob in Lapu-Lapu City.

The protagonists faced each other for the first time yesterday during the final press conference at the EGI Hotel and Resort in Lapu-Lapu City.

After hearing the Mexican's claim to knock him out in the sixth round, the defending IBF featherweight champion Bautista immediately laughed and countered Mendoza's words.

"Moingon siya nga iya kung tumbahon sa round 6? Basig kaunon niya ang yang gisulti," said said the pride of Candijay Bohol.

"Makita bitaw na kung kinsay matumba inig Sabado, ganahan siya way daganay?"

Bautista said that he is unfazed by the Mexican's perfect record of 17 wins, no loss with 100 percent knockout percentage.

"Bisag in-ana iyang record para nako di siya ang akong hardest opponent.

Mendoza said he is confident that he will score an upset against Bautista as he got the ALA fighter's style all figured up.

"I analyzed his style prior to this fight and one more thing, I am a switch-hitter boxer and my style will surely give him a headache."

For his part ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer reiterated that this will be a make-or break fight for the Boholano boxer, who is groomed to fight for a world title eliminator or a dream rematch against his former tormentor Mexican Daniel Ponce De Leon.

"With a guy (Mendoza) with this kind of record it's really a threat for Boom Boom but we should do this for him to know if he is ready for the next level," said Aldeguer.

In the equally-exciting supporting bout, Philippines No.1 rated super bantamweight Genesis "Azukal" Servania will be tested against another undefeated and Mexican boxing prospect Marcos "Geraldito" Cardenas.

"Kompiyansa ko sa akong kaugalingon ug paninguhaon nako nga ako siyang (Cardenas) ma knockout," said Servania.

World rated flyweight Rocky "Road Warrior" Fuentes will slug it out against Lookdiaw Tor Buamas of Thailand, while Romeo "Jako" Jakosalem will battle South Korean Pan Soo Kim for the vacant Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) light welterweight title. (FREEMAN)