You have been traveling and have met many big names like Oscar De La Hoya, Bernard Hopkins and a lot of people. Did you ever dream of meeting them or of traveling to other countries?
(Laughs) I never really expected these things to happen to me. Not even in my wildest dreams.
What are the lessons you learned from boxing?
I learned to become wise. Boxing took away my inferiority complex. Because I met a lot of people, I learned to talk to them straight. I learned to talk to many people, that did not happen when I was a boy.
I learned to dress up better, I learned to manage myself well, especially my earnings and I learned how to behave like a gentleman.
And I learned to speak English too. (laughs).
So, who is Rey Bautista now?
I am still the same Rey Bautista. The same Rey Bautista who used to gather firewood to sell, the same Rey Bautista who used to work hard in the t rice fields. I still lived an ordinary life.
The only difference is that people look up to me as a role model. People know me. People expect too much from me. I’ll just take good care of these things because this is a God-given gift. I’ll just try my best to match their expectations of me.
What’s in store for Rey Bautista in 2007?
To start with, I have a world title fight on March 4 here in Cebu against Daniel Ponce De Leon. I promise to do my best to give honor to the county, to make sure that his (De Leon) belt will be left behind in the Philippines. This is a big fight. This, I believe, is a defining moment of my career. That is why I worked hard to keep my dreams and the expectations of my fans.
And if I’ll win over De Leon, I have a scheduled fight against Sergio Manuel Medina (undefeated in 28 fights from Argentina) on May 5 in the undercard of Oscar De La Hoya vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas.
Who are your inspirations?
First, I do all this hard work because of my family–my father, my mother, my brothers and sisters. They are the ones who motivated me and inspired me to push myself beyond limits. I want to give honor to our family name.
Second, is Sir ALA, who unselfishly gave his best to support and make me what I am today. He is longing to have a world champion out from his own gym, and I will try hard to give the world title to him and lastly, my fans who keep on believing in me.
At 20 you have reached the status that many boxers dreamed of but didn’t get. What is your advice to them? What is your advice to the kids?
To my fellow boxers, I’ll advise them to practice hard. Never miss training. Give all that you can and used what you have trained for in the fight night.
Be brave, be determined, pray, obey your parents and most of all, discipline yourself.
To the kids, especially those who look up to me as their model, train hard, have self-discipline and set a goal. But mostly importantly study – because if you cannot make it in boxing, at least you have a degree to take you out of poverty.
