Wednesday, August 01, 2007 Sayson: Boom-Boom’s ultimate test By Homer Sayson Second Overtime
CHICAGO The moment he turned pro on June 12, 2003, there was little doubt that Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista is a rare boxing gem.
With massive shoulders and a sturdy trunk, he is naturally big for a super bantamweight. He also has modest lengths, standing at 5-feet, 6 inches tall, with a 69-inch reach.
And most importantly, his fists blast like cannons.
Over the years, Boom-Boom’s career has consistently traveled north. He has carved a path of destruction in the 122-pound weight class, winning all 23 of his fights with 17 knockouts.
Now at age 21, after passing six test fights in these United States, Boom-Boom has finally arrived.
Eleven days from today, the pride of Candijay, Bohol will star in the World Cup of Boxing featuring the Philippines versus Mexico at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California.
Like the six other Filipino pugs in the World Cup extravaganza, Boom-Boom will fight for pride, honor and bragging rights. But being in the main event, Boom-Boom takes on the most difficult task, the toughest foe.
Bautista’s opponent is the reigning WBO super bantamweight champion, a tough gringo named Daniel Ponce de Leon.
The champ since June 24, 2005, de Leon has defended his belt four times. He owns a stellar record of 31-1 with 28 KOs. A 5-foot-5 southpaw, de Leon is still at his peak at age 27, and like BoomBoom, he has mortars for arms.
Is Boom-Boom up to the challenge?
“Andam na ko sir, kondisyon kaayo,” (I’m ready and I’m in shape), Boom-Boom told me last night from a downtown LA apartment which he shares with the rest of Team ALA..
Asked if de Leon’s power intimidates him, Boom-Boom replied with a confident “no.”
“I don’t want to sound like I’m boasting, but I don’t know what fear is. Boxing is only a game. I’ll be careful out there and I’ll give my best efforts, as I do with all my bouts.
“I am aware of de Leon’s strength, and the fact that he is strong gives me more motivation,” Boom-Boom said in the vernacular.
The Bautista-de Leon fight will be carried live by ABS-CBN, which means millions of Filipinos will watch Boom--Boom’s quest on television.
But that, too, doesn’t mount extra pressure on Bautista’s shoulders.
“I’m only 21 years old. It’s an honor to fight in the main event and be shown on TV. I’ve set my eyes on de Leon since early May. I’ve trained hard for him. I’m anxious to go,” Bautista said.
Boom-Boom’s confidence is echoed by his chief trainer, Edito “Ala” Villamor.
“He has sparred over 100 rounds. He weighed 128 pounds today and should have no trouble making the 122-pound limit on Aug. 10 during the official weigh-in. Boom-Boom’s conditioning is fine. He is in tremendous physical shape,” Villamor said.
Boom-Boom woke up shortly before six am yesterday. He darted from bed to the asphalt jungle of downtown LA. After a brief run, he devoured eggs and watermelon for breakfast, went to the Wild Card gym, and had beef soup and fruits for lunch at about 2 pm.
Six hours later, he had apples and bananas for dinner.
At nights, before bedtime, Villamor does some pep talk on his prized ward. He reminds Boom-Boom to stick with their devised game plan against de Leon and not be carried away by both impatience and bravado.
Defense is also emphasized. Again and again.
Although Boom-Boom has a sturdy chin, his handlers don’t want it to be exposed too much against de Leon’s loopy blows. “Arms up, protect yourself at all times, “is a constant mantra.
Truth be told, de Leon, whom I’ve seen fight in person, scares me. He has enough power to light a small city.
But as great as de Leon is, he hasn’t met a heavy puncher like Boom-Boom, either.
In other words, this fight between two big bombers is a coin toss.
