Bautista bears tough mission

CEBU, Philippines - ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael P. Aldeguer yesterday said Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista's upcoming fight against Mexican brawler Josel "El Negro" Ramirez is a chance for their prized to prove that he deserves another world title shot.

Bautista (34-2, 25KOs) is set to defend his WBO International featherweight throne against Ramírez (24-3, 15KOs) in the main event of "Pinoy Pride XIX:Mexican Invasion" fightcard on April 20 at the University of Southeastern Philippines (USEP) Gym in Davao City.

"Against Ramirez, we would like to see if Boom Boom is ready for another world title shot," said Aldeguer, noting that Bautista's last fight against Daniel Diaz in Manila five months ago was a close one in which the ALA boxer narrowly won by split decision.

Since his devastating first round knockout loss to Daniel Ponce de Leon of Mexico in his first world championship bout on August 11, 2007 at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California, the 26-year-old Bautista lost only once in a dozen matches.

The pride of Candijay, Bohol is currently on an eight-fight winning streak, but Aldeguer feels that Bautista still needs to present a solid proof that he is again a legitimate world title contender.

"Not a lot of people know that Boom Boom's main arsenal is his left hand and it is the same hand that had major surgery. It was only the second half of last year that it was fully healed with no pain," said Aldeguer.

"His performance on April 20 should answer questions. If he wins impressively and shows that he has recovered fully, then we will see if we can negotiate for a title shot late this year either for the IBF or the WBO as both have him highly ranked," added Aldeguer.

In the supporting main event of what is by far the biggest sporting spectacle to hit Mindanao, OPBF flyweight champion Rocky "The Road Warrior” Fuentes (34-6-2, 20KOs) will slug it out with Mexican Juan "Loquito" Kantun (20-3-3, 15KOs) in a 10-round rumble.

The blockbuster show bankrolled by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports also features the titanic clash between two undefeated Filipino world title hopefuls in which 'King' Arthur Villanueva (20-0, 11KOs) of the ALA Gym  will make the first defense of his OPBF super flyweightcrown against the hard-punching Philippine champion Marco Demecillo-Singwangcha (18-0-1, 14KOs) of Rex "Wakee" Salud Stable.

The other action-packed bout that the Davaoeños should not miss pits Lorenzo “Thunderbolt” Villanueva (23-1, 21KOs) against Arief “The Ice” Blader (17-9-1, 6KOs) of Indonesia. (FREEMAN)