By Ronnie Nathanielsz
TAGBILARAN CITY – Tanzanian warrior Obote “Thunder” Ameme’s trainer/manager Emmanuel drew reactions of disbelief when he proudly predicted that challenger Ameme would win by a second round knockout or “at most would need three rounds” to dispose of WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista in a blockbuster fight card at the Carlos P. Garcia open air stadium today.
Emmanuel, who fought as a flyweight in the Moscow Olympics of 1980 told a large gathering of sportswriters at the Islands City Mall here in Tagbilaran that “we didn’t come here on a vacation. We came here to win and to take the title home. You will see in the ring.”
Bautista wasn’t amused by the boasts of the challenger’s camp and vowed to put on a show, saying that the round in which he would put Ameme away for good was “a secret.” The consensus here is that the undefeated 19 year old who is the “Pride of Bohol” was far too quick and way too strong and would overwhelm Ameme who was admittedly slow although he did pack a wallop.
To the consternation of his manager Ameme was one pound over the 118 pound limit at the official weigh in and had to run around the mall, skip rope and shadow box for almost one hour before stepping on the scale and making the weight limit. However, Emmanuel said he was not worried about having to shed off one pound saying “that’s not a problem.” Bautista came in one pound under the limit at 117 and looked trim and determined to thrill an expected 20,000 provincemates who will be treated to a Las Vegas style presentation.
In the forefront of the biggest boxing event in the history of this beautiful province which is a top tourist destination is popular sportsman, Mayor Dan Neri Lim and Governor Erico Aumentado who have spared no effort in putting Bohol into the consciousness of Filipinos and the boxing world. American boxing man Michael Koncz who acts as Bautista’s business manager in the US announced that a major fight had been set up for Bautista on December 23 in America. Koncz who helped arrange the fights of Bautista, Bobby Pacquiao and Diosdado Gabi in the US said he was “amazed at the preparations with the Mayor showin remarkable enthusiasm in putting on a memorable event of which all Filipinos would be proud.”
The giant canopy used at The Fort for the Manny Pacquiao-Fahsan 3K Battery showdown last December 11 was shipped to Tagbilaran City from Manila for the fight which will be an extertainment spectacle that is certain to match the best that Las Vegas has to offer.
In a championship double-header hometown boy Cesar Amonsot faces the stiffest test of his career when he challenges undefeated WBO Asia Pacific junior lightweight champion Victor Mausul of Indonesia who has a record of 8-0-1 with 4 knockouts. Mausul has looked sharp and fit and Amonsot, the flashy southpaw is expected to have his hands full against the strongly-built Indonesian.
The championship bouts will be telecast on the top rated weekly boxing show “The Main Event at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday over RPN 9 sponsored by Tanduay, the No. 1 Rhum and PLDT. Stunningly attractive Viva Hot Babes Gwen Garci and Zarah Lopez who created a stir at the press conference will serve as round girls for the championship bouts which will also be telecast over PBO, Pinoy Box Office both here and across the entire Middle East.
