MEXICAN WBO super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon has taken back his previous warning that he will knockout Boholano Challenger Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista in the main event of the Mexico vs. Philippines World Cup of Boxing in California.
In a recent interview with Boxingtalk.com, de Leon said he is not going to score a knockout but is instead preparing to go the full distance.
“I am prepared to go 12 rounds, but if the knockout comes, it comes. I am prepared to go 12 hard rounds if I need to though,” de Leon said.
De Leon has prepared for this fight for nearly three months now because he always had respect for Bautista, who has been his No.1 challenger for almost a year now.
“I know he’s an undefeated fighter, and he is younger than I am. I have been working hard, and I have been doing my job in camp so that I can come out victorious,” he added.
Like Bautista, who is training hard at the Wild Card Gym, de Leon is also training in the Los Angeles area.
But unlike Bautista, who is training together with the entire Philippine lineup at Freddie Roach’s gym, de Leon is training alone as the other members of Team Mexico are working at different gyms.
Buzz cuts
Team Philippines, which is now on its final week of preparations, has displayed a show of unity as all seven members decided to shave their heads and are now sporting buzz cuts—signifying unity in their fight for the country.
De Leon, on the other hand, got rid of his pony tail and will be fighting Bautista with a clean shaven head.
However, Team Philippines is on tenterhooks as they are still waiting for the results of Gorres’ laser surgery to correct the tear in his retina.
Gorres fate will be known on Aug. 6, when Dr. Steven Steinschriber makes another check up on the Cebuano fighter. (RCM)
