Monday, July 26, 2004 Rey Bautista promised world title fight after Mandaue card
A HUGE opportunity for Boholano world-title prospect Rey Bautista is on the horizon if he wins the WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight title over Saensak Singmanassak on Aug. 17 at the Mandaue City Sports and Cultural Complex.
The winner will get a shot for a world title against current World Boxing Organization 118-pound champ Ratanachai Sor Vorapin of Thailand.
“Leon Panoncillo promised Bautista a world-title fight in December if he wins. I guess it would be too early for Bautista but we will evaluate the situation when we get there,” said ALA Boys patron Antonio Lopez Aldeguer.
Bautista, a native of Candijay, Bohol, is looking forward to a great fight against the tough Thai opponent, proven to pack a knockout punch.
“This will not be an easy fight for Bautista. This will be his acid test. In terms of experience, the Thai has the edge. And if you speak of knockout punches, his opponent also has it. But the biggest deal here is that a regional belt is at stake and the prize – a world-title fight. So I expect mayhem from both fighters,” added Aldeguer.
Singmanasak holds 23 wins and seven loses (14 KOs) while Bautista is protecting a 10-fight winning streak since debuting on June 12 last year.
Promoter Sammy Gello-ani scheduled the 12-round Bautista-Singmanasak fight at 9 p.m. followed by the undercards that will feature three Korean fighters. RCM
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