By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Respected Cebu boxing patron and the manager of WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and several other top fighters has credited Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao for opening the doors to Filipino boxers in the US.
Aldeguer who was a bundle of nerves as Bautista came back from a stunning second round knockdown to hammer out an impressive unanimous decision over power-punching Mexican veteran Gerardo Espinoza told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that Pacquiao is “undeniably the reason why Filipino boxers have gained the respect of the boxing world in America. He is indeed very popular everywhere.”
Aldeguer said “most Mexican boxers, managers and trainers that I talked with have a very high regard for Filipino boxers.”
Pacquiao is also using his undoubted influence to convince US promoters to feature more Filipino boxers in their fight cards and is currently working on getting former WBC super flyweight champion Gerry Penalosa a fight on January 2o in Los Angeles while also looking to get younger brother Bobby Pacquiao another fight following his controversial win over Carlos “Famoso” Hernandez, the former world champion.
Aldeguer himself through the assistance of California-based boxing man Michael Koncz was able to get Bautista the fight with Espinoza. Koncz was also instrumental in getting fights for Bobby Pacquiao and world-rated flyweight Diosdado "Prince" Gabi while well-known Guilty Boxing Promotions will feature OPBF No.1 super flyweight Z "The Dream" Gorres and OPBF junior lightweight champion Czar Amonsot in a fight card on February 3.
Aldeguer revealed that Bautista whom trainer Freddie Roach refers to as his “Baby Faced Assassin” almost did not get a chance to eat or even “get to the fight” at the Sycuan Casino because “he was stopped twice by security believing he was below 18 years of age and was not old enough to enter the casino” where the restaurant was and which was also the venue of the fight.
Viva Sports learned there were several Filipinos who traveled from Arizona, Las Vegas and San Francisco including Luisito Espinosa’s manager Joe Robles who watched the fight and mobbed Bautista for autographs after his inspiring victory.
When the doctor examined Bautista before the fight he was surprised that the 19 year old was not a bit nervous and exclaimed “wow, you’re in terrific shape and you ain’t afraid at all.” Bautista was a hit with the US media and was interviewed by journalists and TV stations.
