SuckaPunch
12-21-2005, 10:44 AM
Source: http://www.asianjournal.com/?c=124&a=9204&sid=4f9bf0a6129153ba3e665db1ba257c5d
Pinoy Boxers Pacquiao, Viloria and Bautista Gear Up for Upcoming Matches
Jannelle So /AJ
LOS ANGELES - There are still a few days to go before Christmas but the 3 "kings" have already been sighted.
Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Brian "Hawaiian Punch" Viloria and Rey "Boom-Boom" Bautista, kings of the ring who reigned at the Staples Center a few months ago delivering a triple KO victory for the Philippines, are back in La-la-land to prepare for their upcoming matches.
"Mahirap nga pero sanay naman ako mag-Pasko doon sa amin na walang kinakain kaya sabi ko sa nanay ko, 'Nanay, tiisan na lang natin ngayong Paskong ito kasi maghanap pa ako ng pera.' Malungkot nga eh pero tiisin lang. Magkatipon-tipon din tayo," Boom-Boom (18-0 14 KO's) said.
Among the three, the 19-year-old boxer will be the first to fight, facing Gerardo "Locomotora" Espinoza (28-9 26 KO's) in an 8-round bantamweight match on December 23, 2005 at the Sycuan Resort and Casino in El Cajon, CA.
"The reason why the team chose the opponent is we want to see where Rey is. This is a tough opponent. Like I said, the guy has nine losses. But those loses have come from former world champions, top five rated guys. So if he easily walks through this, then we'll better know how to select our next opponent, maybe somebody from the top five of one of the divisions," said Michael Koncz, Boom-Boom's business manager who arranged the fight.
Doubts have been raised by not a few boxing enthusiasts that perhaps the reason why Boom-Boom has been successful in his boxing campaign so far is that because he hasn't encountered a really tough opponent yet.
During his U.S. debut, Boom-Boom knocked out Colombian Felix Flores. The 31-year-old fighter had not won any of his last five bouts. Last month at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex in Tagbilaran City in Bohol, Philippines, Boom-Boom knocked out African featherweight Obote Ameme (27-10 22 KO's) in a mandatory defense of the his WBO Asia Pacific title.
For the non-believers, another KO from Boom-Boom may well be the last proof they need in order to be convinced that the young fighter from Bohol is on the right path to boxing greatness.
"He's about a year or so away from a world title. But this fighter is going to get better and better as we go along. Of course he has to face different fighters first, especially here in America, they're not going to let you fight just anybody," said Boom-Boom's trainer, Freddie Roach, who also trains Pacquiao and Viloria. "He works hard and I think he's a future world champion. But we're not there yet. We still got long ways to go."
According to Roach, one of the aspects his young ward still needs to improve on is mental toughness and strategy: "He needs to loosen up a little bit. He needs to set up the punches a little bit better, not just go out there and try to kill every guy. Just think a little bit more; maybe learn the same lessons as Manny."
Koncz added that despite the shortcomings, Boom-Boom has already matured a lot as a result of the fights he has gone through. But he's also thankful that in terms of demeanor and attitude, "the kid" hasn't changed at all.
"In my opinion, he's still the humble, thankful 19-year-old kid," he said.
And Roach agreed, "He really hasn't changed so much. He's still a young, shy kid who likes to fight and likes to hurt people. He's baby faced but he's actually an assassin. I like that in a fighter. He likes to go out there and knock everybody out and so far he's been successful doing that."
During his last sparring session at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood last December 16 th , present to give him support were Roach, Koncz, Boom-Boom's manager Tony Aldeguer and his trainer and former Philippine boxing champ Edito Villamor. Boom-Boom admitted that his team's observations of him and his style were correct. And when it came to thinking before hitting, he said he was working on doing something about that.
"Yung pag-atake sa kalaban. Hindi na mashadong rush. May tinging na sa ano, kung ano'ng suntok, jab, pasok. Hindi katulad noon pasok lang diretso," he said.
In the same interview, Boom-Boom also did not make any effort to hide his thoughts on spending the holidays away from his family. But the hardworking pugilist was quick to add that he understood why he had to make these sacrifices. And if anything, these also help in toughening him up.
"Handang-handa na ako harapin 'yung kalaban ko, para makauwi na tayo. Sabi ng nanay ko ngayon lang kami magkatipon-tipon na may kakainin tapos wala naman ako, Boom-Boom said, obviously fighting his homesickness which, according to Koncz, is Boom-Boom's No. 1 enemy for now, perhaps next to the diet which he has to follow in order to lose weight.
He's facing a tough opponent, alright. But Boom-Boom and the rest of his camp believe that he is ready and in perfect shape to fight.
"Depensa lang. Kung may lakas siya, may lakas din naman ako. Kung sino lang makauna sa amin dito sa laban na into," he said.
After Boom-Boom's training session, it was the "People's Champ's" turn to gear up for his upcoming rematch with Erik "El Terrible" Morales, scheduled for January 21, 2006 at the Thomas and Mack Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A day before his birthday 29 th birthday, the Pacman showed up for practice in a "bloody" red shirt with matching red bandana. It looked like an ordinary day for him. But trainer Justin Juuko revealed that a day before that, the Philippine boxing idol actually skipped practice as he felt ill after his routine morning jog.
"Napagod lang ako agad. Medyo masama pakiramdam. Malamig kasi," he said.
For his birthday on December 17, there was no lavish celebration as was the practice of the boxing hero in the past, throwing parties and giving away gifts to his needy kababayans in Bohol.
"Pagkain lang. 'Dun lang sa apartment. Ensayo at pagkatapos ng ensayo, maghanda ng pagkain," said the fighter who promised to redeem himself early next year when he faces Morales who beat him the first time. And because of this, he said he was willing to make sacrifices, postponing his birthday, Christmas and New Year's celebrations until after he gets a victory.
To complete the boxing trio, the Hawaiian Punch also reported for practice. He's busy preparing for his fight against Jose Antonio Aguirre which is scheduled for February 18, 2006. It will be the first time he will be defending his WBC Light Flyweight title. (AJ)
Pinoy Boxers Pacquiao, Viloria and Bautista Gear Up for Upcoming Matches
Jannelle So /AJ
LOS ANGELES - There are still a few days to go before Christmas but the 3 "kings" have already been sighted.
Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Brian "Hawaiian Punch" Viloria and Rey "Boom-Boom" Bautista, kings of the ring who reigned at the Staples Center a few months ago delivering a triple KO victory for the Philippines, are back in La-la-land to prepare for their upcoming matches.
"Mahirap nga pero sanay naman ako mag-Pasko doon sa amin na walang kinakain kaya sabi ko sa nanay ko, 'Nanay, tiisan na lang natin ngayong Paskong ito kasi maghanap pa ako ng pera.' Malungkot nga eh pero tiisin lang. Magkatipon-tipon din tayo," Boom-Boom (18-0 14 KO's) said.
Among the three, the 19-year-old boxer will be the first to fight, facing Gerardo "Locomotora" Espinoza (28-9 26 KO's) in an 8-round bantamweight match on December 23, 2005 at the Sycuan Resort and Casino in El Cajon, CA.
"The reason why the team chose the opponent is we want to see where Rey is. This is a tough opponent. Like I said, the guy has nine losses. But those loses have come from former world champions, top five rated guys. So if he easily walks through this, then we'll better know how to select our next opponent, maybe somebody from the top five of one of the divisions," said Michael Koncz, Boom-Boom's business manager who arranged the fight.
Doubts have been raised by not a few boxing enthusiasts that perhaps the reason why Boom-Boom has been successful in his boxing campaign so far is that because he hasn't encountered a really tough opponent yet.
During his U.S. debut, Boom-Boom knocked out Colombian Felix Flores. The 31-year-old fighter had not won any of his last five bouts. Last month at the Carlos P. Garcia Sports Complex in Tagbilaran City in Bohol, Philippines, Boom-Boom knocked out African featherweight Obote Ameme (27-10 22 KO's) in a mandatory defense of the his WBO Asia Pacific title.
For the non-believers, another KO from Boom-Boom may well be the last proof they need in order to be convinced that the young fighter from Bohol is on the right path to boxing greatness.
"He's about a year or so away from a world title. But this fighter is going to get better and better as we go along. Of course he has to face different fighters first, especially here in America, they're not going to let you fight just anybody," said Boom-Boom's trainer, Freddie Roach, who also trains Pacquiao and Viloria. "He works hard and I think he's a future world champion. But we're not there yet. We still got long ways to go."
According to Roach, one of the aspects his young ward still needs to improve on is mental toughness and strategy: "He needs to loosen up a little bit. He needs to set up the punches a little bit better, not just go out there and try to kill every guy. Just think a little bit more; maybe learn the same lessons as Manny."
Koncz added that despite the shortcomings, Boom-Boom has already matured a lot as a result of the fights he has gone through. But he's also thankful that in terms of demeanor and attitude, "the kid" hasn't changed at all.
"In my opinion, he's still the humble, thankful 19-year-old kid," he said.
And Roach agreed, "He really hasn't changed so much. He's still a young, shy kid who likes to fight and likes to hurt people. He's baby faced but he's actually an assassin. I like that in a fighter. He likes to go out there and knock everybody out and so far he's been successful doing that."
During his last sparring session at the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood last December 16 th , present to give him support were Roach, Koncz, Boom-Boom's manager Tony Aldeguer and his trainer and former Philippine boxing champ Edito Villamor. Boom-Boom admitted that his team's observations of him and his style were correct. And when it came to thinking before hitting, he said he was working on doing something about that.
"Yung pag-atake sa kalaban. Hindi na mashadong rush. May tinging na sa ano, kung ano'ng suntok, jab, pasok. Hindi katulad noon pasok lang diretso," he said.
In the same interview, Boom-Boom also did not make any effort to hide his thoughts on spending the holidays away from his family. But the hardworking pugilist was quick to add that he understood why he had to make these sacrifices. And if anything, these also help in toughening him up.
"Handang-handa na ako harapin 'yung kalaban ko, para makauwi na tayo. Sabi ng nanay ko ngayon lang kami magkatipon-tipon na may kakainin tapos wala naman ako, Boom-Boom said, obviously fighting his homesickness which, according to Koncz, is Boom-Boom's No. 1 enemy for now, perhaps next to the diet which he has to follow in order to lose weight.
He's facing a tough opponent, alright. But Boom-Boom and the rest of his camp believe that he is ready and in perfect shape to fight.
"Depensa lang. Kung may lakas siya, may lakas din naman ako. Kung sino lang makauna sa amin dito sa laban na into," he said.
After Boom-Boom's training session, it was the "People's Champ's" turn to gear up for his upcoming rematch with Erik "El Terrible" Morales, scheduled for January 21, 2006 at the Thomas and Mack Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A day before his birthday 29 th birthday, the Pacman showed up for practice in a "bloody" red shirt with matching red bandana. It looked like an ordinary day for him. But trainer Justin Juuko revealed that a day before that, the Philippine boxing idol actually skipped practice as he felt ill after his routine morning jog.
"Napagod lang ako agad. Medyo masama pakiramdam. Malamig kasi," he said.
For his birthday on December 17, there was no lavish celebration as was the practice of the boxing hero in the past, throwing parties and giving away gifts to his needy kababayans in Bohol.
"Pagkain lang. 'Dun lang sa apartment. Ensayo at pagkatapos ng ensayo, maghanda ng pagkain," said the fighter who promised to redeem himself early next year when he faces Morales who beat him the first time. And because of this, he said he was willing to make sacrifices, postponing his birthday, Christmas and New Year's celebrations until after he gets a victory.
To complete the boxing trio, the Hawaiian Punch also reported for practice. He's busy preparing for his fight against Jose Antonio Aguirre which is scheduled for February 18, 2006. It will be the first time he will be defending his WBC Light Flyweight title. (AJ)