Bautista may fight in Pacquiao card

ALA Stable teenage sensation Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista may fight in the undercard of the blockbuster double-header featuring Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao and Mexican superstar Erik Morales on September 10 at the Staples Center - homecourt of NBA's LA Lakers - in Los Angeles, California.

American Michael Koncz, Bautista's US agent, told The Freeman that he is currently negotiating with Top Rank Promotions for the 19-year-old Bautista to be inserted in the explosive card topbilled by two of the world's most exciting fighters today.

Pacquiao takes on Mexican toughie Hector Velasquez, while Morales tangles with former Olympian Zahir Raheem. If they both win, Pacquiao and Morales will face each other in a grudge rematch tentatively set on December 10.

"We're currently negotiating for Bautista to be able to fight on September 10 in the same card featuring Pacquiao and Morales," said Koncz.

Koncz left last night for the United States together with Bautista and ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor. Bautista and Villamor will be staying at Koncz's abode in Orange Country, California.

Bautista will train under noted American strategist Freddie Roach at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood in preparation for his August 19 fight against a still undisclosed opponent at the Stockton Ballpark.

Koncz said they will cancel Bautista's August bout if they would be able to check in Bautista in the Pacquiao card.

"If the September date pushes through, we'll cancel Bautista's August fight to avoid him from suffering any injury," said revered boxing patron Antonio "Bidoy" L. Aldeguer, who charts Bautista's career in partnership with Koncz.

The brightest opponent groomed to clash with Bautista is World Boxing Council No.11 bantamweight contender Gerardo Martinez of Mexico.

"If we will be able to reach a deal, maybe they will fight for the WBC North America Boxing Federation bantamweight title," said Koncz.

Martinez, like Bautista, is a certified knockout artist as evident in the Mexican's 27-5-2 win-loss-record spiked with 20KOs.

Bautista, on the other hand, is unbeaten in 16 pro fights with a dozen victories by knockout.

In his only second year as pro, Bautista performed beyond expectations, slaughtering all his opponents of different nationalities that include Korean, South African, Thai, Indonesian, Japanese and Mexican.

Bautista won the WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight crown after a brilliant second round stoppage of Thai Saensak Singmanassak on August 17 last year at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.

Bautista, ballyhoed as the next big thing in Philippine boxing, defended his throne for the first time with a one-sided demolition of South African Vuyisile Bebe early this. In his last fight, the Candijay, Bohol-native ring executioner forced Mexican Gilberto Bolanos into retirement before the start of the sixth round last June 11.

Meanwhile, Koncz confirmed that Bobby Pacquiao's forthcoming showdown with Mexican Carlos "Famoso" Hernandez is already a done deal following the signing of contract yesterday. Bobby and Hernandez will see action in the undercard of the hotly-anticipated Diego Corrales-Jose Luis Castillo rematch on October 8 at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Koncz, who co-manages Bobby with Manny Pacquiao, declined to reveal the purse of Pacquiao, but said "it is more than all the purses combined Bobby (Pacquiao) received in his career."