Thursday, April 05, 2007 WBO orders de Leon to face winner of Bautista-medina fight
REY “Boom-Boom” Bautista is one step closer to reaching his dream of becoming a world champion after the World Boxing Organization (WBO) ordered super bantamweight king Daniel Ponce de Leon to face his mandatory challenger in the champion’s next fight.
Bautista, who has a spotless record in 22 fights with 17 KOs, could be that mandatory challenger if he wins the eliminator bout against fellow undefeated boxer Segio Manuel Medina of Argentina, according to Philboxing.com.
The 28-year-old Medina is undefeated in 28 fights and has 16 knockouts.
Bautista’s fight against de Leon, who scored a controversial unanimous decision win over Gerry Peñalosa two weeks ago, could headline the proposed boxing World Cup between the Philippines and Mexico later this year.
Aside from the Bautista-de Leon fight, a rematch between Fernando Montiel and Z Gorres is also in the offing, while bantamweight king Jhonny Gonzales is set to fight Peñalosa.
The Gorres-Montiel fight also ended in a contested split-decision win for the Mexican, after Gorres got deducted two points for clinching.
Meanwhile, Philboxing.com reported that Filipino superstar and congressional aspirant Manny Pacquiao, who will face Jorge Solis on April 15 (RP time), has promised to chip in the fund-drive for the late boxer Lito Sisnorio.
The fund-raising has already raised some P30,000 in less than two days and Pacquiao’s donation is expected to boost the amount. Aside from Pacquiao, Wakee Salud has also pledged P5,000. (ML)
