Bautista guns for WBO Int’l belt

REY “Boom-Boom” Bautista has his eyes set on a future clash with World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight champion Orlando Salido, as he is fighting for a vacant regional crown to solidify his status in the organization’s 126-pound division.

Bautista is gunning for the vacant WBO International belt, which will serve as the main supporting bout for the world title clash between AJ “Bazooka” Banal and Puanglang Sor Singyu in Pinoy Pride XVII on Oct. 20 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Manila. ALA Promotions is still working on his opponent.

“We are looking at Orlando Salido and the dream fight would be a rematch with (Daniel) Ponce de Leon in the future. For now, we would like an opponent that has a name and can test him. People may have doubts on ‘Boom-Boom’ because of the first round knockout loss to Ponce de Leon, which was just one loss. But that’s boxing. It’s just the same as de Leon lost to Juanma Lopez on a first round knockout and Lopez lost to Salido, who has 11 losses, but now is a world champion and one of the most popular fighters because of his heart and power,” ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu.

The 26-year-old Bautista is currently rated No. 10 in the WBO featherweight ranks. Winning the vacant regional crown should improve his rating and his chances of a world title shot in the near future.

Despite a lot of doubters because of his rollercoaster career, Aldeguer hasn’t given up on Bautista and still believes that he has the potential to become a world champion.