Tuesday, November 25, 2008 Quijano: Boxing Boom unkind to Boom-Boom By Jingo Quijano Last Round
SAY what you will about his flat performance, but you have to give some credit to Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista for his effort.
Even with blood streaming down his face and a forehead grotesquely disfigured by two protruding lumps, he advanced and never stopped punching, hoping to land a Hail Mary shot that would probably turn the fight around.
But sometimes, effort and heart can only get you through so much. Eventually, a fighter’s skills or lack thereof will be the determining factor.
So what now for this proud son of Candijay, Bohol?
HIGH PROFILE. Ordinarily, two losses on a resume should not be a death sentence on a boxer’s budding career.
But in Bautista’s case, things can be a bit complicated.
You see, it may not be so much on the fact that he lost twice but rather on the platform upon which those losses took place. Consider the following:
His first loss was a brutal first round kayo at the hands of Daniel Ponce de Leon on the main event of the World Cup of Boxing wherein he was the stalwart of the Philippine team—an event where all his compatriots won their bouts.
The most recent loss was on the undercard of the Ricky Hatton-Paul Malignaggi duel, a bout which merited attention due to the possibility of Ricky Hatton facing the victor in the Pacquiao-dela Hoya bout.
Had those losses happened on an undercard in some half-empty, remote and smoky arena in a far-flung town, then nobody would have cared.
But since they were high profile bouts where the expectations ran high, the fans might not be so forgiving.
BOXING BOOM. Most boxers have early career losses before they are catapulted into super stardom. Gerry Peñalosa had his Samuel Duran while Manny Pacquiao had Rustico Torrecampo.
Fortunately for them, those losses probably went unnoticed under the boxing radar, and out of the glare of the limelight.
The same cannot be said of Bautista’s case. His career has been under scrutiny ever since he was thrust into the spotlight buoyed by the tremendous support thrown by ALA Promotions and its ties with Golden Boy Productions.
Ironically, the boxing boom we are experiencing in the country has proven to be unkind to “Boom-Boom”.
With so many young upcoming fighters vying for the public’s adoration, eager to make their own marks and follow the path trail-blazed by Manny Pacquiao, two stunning and high profile losses at the world stage can be devastating to a career.
Yep, fame can be a boon, but it can also be a bitch.
POSER. It was fun seeing Ricky Hatton beat up prancing Paulie Malignaggi. It was a triumph of substance over form.
A real fighter overcoming a poser. A Hitman coming home with another kill.
It was also engaging to see Hatton in his element. After all the bad rap he was getting from his drinking and ballooning up in weight between fights, this time there was no trace of any Ricky “Fat”-ton.
He was in tremendous shape, and looked like he could go twenty more rounds. There can be no question that Ricky Hatton should fight Manny Pacquiao next, regardless of the outcome of the Dela Hoya experiment.
I’m salivating just thinking about it. Excuse me while I go put on a bib.
HE SAID IT. “When I was told I would be fighting on Dec. 6, I was originally told I would be fighting Ricky. But now it’s Oscar”—Manny Pacquiao as quoted in www.timesonline.co.uk
THE LAST ROUND. It’s on my buddy Reyboy “Opaw” Aleonar who recently celebrated his birthday. Cheers!
