By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Three former Philippine amateur boxing champions will make their pro debut to further spice up the blockbuster fight card featuring WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista and Mexican KO artist Gilberto Bonalos at the Mandaue City Sports Center on June 11.
Titled "A Time For Revenge" the fights will be telecast on Viva Sports "Main Event" over RPN 9 at 1:00 p.m. on June 12, sponsored by Tanduay, the No. 1 Rhum with two stunningly attractive Viva Hot Babes serving as the Tanduay round girls.
The three multi-titled amateurs will be led by perennial gold medallist in national competitions, 17 year old Rey Caitom. The diminutive and stylish ring wonder who has won "Best Boxer" awards will be tested by Reynaldo Legaspi of Cagayan de Oro. Another protégé of the famed ALA Gym of respected Cebu boxing patron Tony Aldeguer who will also make his debut is 16 year old punching machine Alex John "Batang Ermita" Banal. He battles Sonny Saguing.
The least known of the three new ALA finds is promising Rashid Bacus who is from Talisay City and is only beginning to avail of the superb facilities of the ALA Gym. Bacus is known to have the heart of a champion and will be given a real challenge by Rex Madrid. Chief trainer and former world contender Edito Villamor said "these three former amateur standouts are worth watching because they are the best among the new crop of fighters."
While admittedly the star of "A Time For Revenge" will be the 18 year old sensation Bautista, any of the three newcomers could well steal at least part of the limelight from the "Main Event."
