Boom-Boom to face Garcia in Bohol fight

Saturday, February 4, 2012

REY “Boom-Boom” Bautista will have his hands full in his homecoming fight in Bohol on March 3 as he takes on veteran former world title challenger Genaro Garcia.

“He (Garcia) beat Rafael Marquez and is a well-known fighter in the boxing world. This could be one of the toughest fights of Boom-Boom,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said.

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Although Garcia is 34 years old and is on a comeback trail, he still has an impressive resume that includes wins over Mexican star Rafael Marquez, promising prospect Miguel Roman, and former world champions Mauricio Martinez, Victor Rabanales and Adonis Rivas. Garcia knocked out Marquez in the second round of their 10-round fight in 2000.

Garcia, 37-8 with 21 knockouts, has figured in three world title fights but failed against Toshiaki Nishioka, Luis Alberto Perez and Hozumi Hasegawa. He has also fought former world champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr.

“He is a veteran that could give ‘Boom-Boom’ a good test if he is indeed ready for bigger fights after a series of injuries in the past,” said Aldeguer.

Aldeguer said that ranking all the boxers the 25-year-old Bautista, 32-2 with 24 knockouts, has fought in his career, Garcia is the third toughest, along with Miguel Angel Mendoza, next to Heriberto Ruiz and Daniel Ponce de Leon, being the most difficult.