Thursday, August 09, 2007 To the Valley of the Kings
CHICAGO - Traveling to cover a huge sports event isn’t such a big deal to me anymore. I guess I’m spoiled. I’ve done it for seven years as one of this paper’s sports columnists.
But on the eve of my trip to Sacramento, California, I feel a sense of giddiness that I haven’t felt in a while. Allow me to tell you the three reasons why.
Rey. Boom-Boom.Bautista.
Yep, I’m going to the World Cup of Boxing featuring the Philippines and Mexico at the Arco Arena, home of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings.
Boom-Boom is the captain of our cause, and he will be in the featured championship main event versus the formidable Daniel Ponce de Leon, the reigning and defending WBO super bantamweight boss.
Of course, I’ll also be rooting for elder statesman Gerry Peñalosa, the great Z Gorres, rising stars Michael Domingo and AJ Banal, and crafty veteran Diosdado “The Prince” Gabi. (Bert Batawang’s fight has been scrapped).
But there will be extra mustard for Boom-Boom. I’ve covered on-site four of his six fights here in the US, and I must confess, I’ve developed a fondness for the 21-year-old phenom from Candijay, Bohol.
Bautista was just another prospect when I first saw him in 2005. Now he is fighting for a title belt. I fell privileged to have watched that transformation.
By the time you read this piece, I shall have landed safely in Sacramento.
Until further notice, I’ll be in California until Sunday (Monday in Cebu). I’m billeted at the hotel where Golden Boy Promotions is holding court.
Team ALA is at another hotel near Arco arena and not far from where I’m at.
Starting today, this World Cup Diary will appear daily. I hope this will turn spicy in the days ahead. My column, Second Overtime, will also appear daily starting tomorrow until the smoke of this World Cup battle clears.
I hope to make your time reading my stuff worth your while. Enjoy. (Homer D. Sayson)
