Teen sensation could be next world champ

The kid with the big punch is being hailed as the next Filipino world boxing champion and he just turned 18.

Rey Bautista is the brightest of Cebu-based businessman Tony Aldeguer’s youthful stars known as the ALA (for Antonio Lopez Aldeguer) Golden Boys. The swashbuckler from Candijay, Bohol, turned pro in June last year and has since compiled a record of 11-0, with 8 KOs.

What makes Bautista special is his fighting heart. Like Manny Pacquiao, he fears no one. Aldeguer doesn’t pick Bautista’s opponents. The tougher his foes, the better for Bautista.

After Bautista raced to an 8-0 record fighting on local shores, Aldeguer decided to bring him overseas. Bautista, the country’s No. 1 bantamweight contender, had run out of opposition here and Aldeguer was eager to put him to the test.

First in line was International Boxing Federation Asia-Pacific titlist Hengky Wuwungan of Indonesia. Bautista ventured to Jakarta and stopped Wuwungan in three rounds last April.

Second was Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation No. 1 contender and Korean champion Huy Yong Kim. It wasn’t an easy assignment and Bautista had to dig deep into his arsenal to eke out a split 10-round decision in Seoul last May. Winning on points was a feat in itself considering the high incidence of hometown decisions against visiting fighters in Korea.

Third was Hirokatsu Yamasaki of Japan. Bautista flew to Akashi City to stop Yamasaki in the third round last month.

"It is noteworthy to mention that Rey achieved quite a rare feat by fighting and winning over three foreign opponents abroad in three consecutive months," said Aldeguer whose stable produced former world champions Gerry Peñalosa, Malcolm and Noel Tuñacao and Joma Gamboa. "As far as my memory can recall, I don’t think any Filipino boxer has ever done this unique feat."

Only three fighters have survived the distance with Bautista. Noel Acasio went the distance in losing a four-round decision in Bautista’s pro debut. Rodel (Kid) Orais, a wily veteran, took Bautista to the limit. Orais was decked in the fourth round and bowed out on scores of 96-93, 99-92 and 97-93. Kim was the third fighter to go the full route.

Bautista began to catch the fans’ attention when he used a single devastating blow to the body to halt Jerry Manganit at 2:18 of the third round in Mandaue in July last year. He was also impressive in disposing of journeyman Rommel Libradilla at 1:10 of the second round last February. Libradilla was floored twice before referee Teddy Alivio stepped in to stop the carnage.

But it was Bautista’s merciless second round demolition of Albert Cesa that drew widespread acclaim last April.

"He will go places," said boxing scholar Hermie Rivera, quoted by Cebu writer Rommel Manlosa. "I am really impressed with the way he manhandled Cesa. He is unforgiving–once he smells victory, he is there for the kill. World-caliber talaga."

Boxing promoter Rex (Wakee) Salud, who watched the execution, told Manlosa: "I was not aware of his talent until now. That was the first time I actually saw him fight and I was surprised to see him fight that way. Bilib kaayo ko. Brave, very talented and he’s got power–important ingredients for a world champion."

No less than Pacquiao’s business manager Rod Nazario said he has high hopes for Bautista to become a world titlist. Nazario has proposed to include Bautista in the undercard of a future Pacquiao main event in the US.

Bautista returns to the ring on Aug. 8 at the Mandaue Sports Complex to face Thai champion Samransak Singmanassak in a 12-round bout for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific bantamweight crown.

"I made sure Bautista will not be fighting a patsy because I do not want to betray the paying public," said Aldeguer.

Samransak, 20, has a record of 25-8-1, with 20 KOs. A devastating puncher, the Thai has scored seven first round knockouts in a career that started in 2000. He previously fought twice in the Philippines, losing to Noel Tunacao and Gamboa. Two of his biggest wins were a sixth round disposal of Jacky Gilala and a third round knockout over Marthen Palaar, both in Indonesia.

Aldeguer has assembled a blockbuster card to support the Bautista-Samransak mainer. Another unbeaten ALA Golden Boy southpaw Caesar Amonsot takes on Arnel Porras for the Philippine Boxing Federation superfeatherweight title in the chief aperitif. Also in the show is undefeated ALA Golden Boy Rolen del Castillo who battles Carlo Besares. Korean Park Seung Woo meets Rex Marzan and another Korean import Park Cheon Su faces Ruther del Castillo.

Amonsot, 18, has a 6-0 record, with 6 KOs. He’s coming off a second round knockout win over Daek Yong Park in Seoul.

"Bautista and Amonsot are both from Bohol and are very talented and strong," said Aldeguer. "They have the qualities that I haven’t seen in my other boxers before and I’ve had a lot. They are a new and exciting breed."