Mexico's Ruiz bombs Boom Boom

Determined to make a statement in his Las Vegas comeback, WBO No. 1 superbantamweight contender Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista of Candijay, Bohol, stumbled along the way and lost a unanimous eight-round decision to veteran Heriberto Ruiz of Mexico at the MGM Grand Garden Arena last Saturday night (yesterday morning, Manila).

Bautista, 22, hadn’t fought in the US since losing to Daniel Ponce de Leon on a shock first round knockout in a WBO title bout in Sacramento last year. He bounced back to notch three wins in a row and his goal was to beat Ruiz convincingly to earn another title shot.

But Ruiz, 31, proved to be tough as nails. He dropped Bautista with a left hook in the third round and was never in trouble. Bautista was docked a point for a low blow in the seventh. The scorecards weren’t close - 77-73, 78-72 and 80-70.

Ruiz used his boxing skills and lateral quickness to frustrate Bautista who just couldn’t get untracked. Whenever Bautista tried to initiate an exchange, Ruiz sidestepped masterfully and counterpunched with precision. Ruiz was in control of the bout from the onset.

Bautista bled profusely from cuts inflicted by headbutts and his face was a crimson mask in the end. After the fight, he was brought to a nearby hospital for his wounds to be stitched. Bautista also had a CT-Scan as prescribed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer, who watched at ringside, said Bautista was bothered by the cuts and could hardly see as blood flowed into his eyes starting the third round. Bautista was cut on the forehead and above both eyes.

“There was a lot of headbutting,” said Aldeguer. “Boom Boom could’ve jabbed more but the guy kept moving. He could barely see. It took guts for him to finish the fight. It was a tough loss because this was his Las Vegas comeback and he wanted to show he was ready for big fights again.”

Aldeguer’s father Tony, who is in Cebu, had no excuses.

“Boom Boom was in top shape,” said the ALA stable owner. “I don’t know what to say. We did our best to prepare him for this fight. Our critics exaggerate our losses and forget our wins. This hurt us. We can’t seem to win the big ones. We wanted a tough opponent for Boom Boom to test him. We got what we asked for. We did everything possible for Boom Boom. I just don’t know where to go from here.”

Aldeguer said he will assess Bautista’s future with his son when they return to Manila tomorrow.

The win improved Ruiz’ record to 40-7-2, with 23 KOs. Bautista’s record dropped to 26-2, with 19 KOs.

Bautista and stablemate Michael Domingo left for the US last Oct. 28 and worked out at Roger Mayweather’s gym in Las Vegas. Mayweather, a former world superfeatherweight and junior welterweight champion, did mitts with Bautista and gave subtle pointers but Aldeguer said he was careful not to change Boom Boom’s style.

“Our first option was to send Boom Boom and Michael to Freddie Roach but we knew how busy he is with Manny so our friend Tony Martin arranged for the training at Mayweather’s gym,” said Aldeguer.

Ruiz, 31, is a grizzled warrior who has fought a slew of world champions, including Rafael Marquez, Cristobal Cruz, Victor Rabanales, Eric Morel and Irene Pacheco. He was coming off a 12-round loss to Morel last August but before the defeat, had won four straight.

Domingo, the WBO Oriental and Philippine bantamweight champion, was scratched from fighting Nestor Rocha in Cabazon, California, last Friday after doctors diagnosed a Hepatitis B condition.

“It’s a big blow because Michael was close to getting a world title shot,” said Aldeguer. “We’re all devastated. He was cleared by doctors in his last fight so this was a shock. He can come back but it will probably take a year to recover.”