By Ronnie Nathanielsz
CEBU CITY - Tanzania's hard-hitting Obete "Thunder" Ameme said yesterday he "came to fight and will carry the fight to Boom-Boom" when he faces undefeated WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista before an expected 20,000 fans at the Carlos P. Garcia stadium in Tagbilaran City on Saturday.
Ameme who has a scary record of 22 knockouts in 27 wins with nine losses, most of them against heavier opponents, looked fit and trim despite the long flight from Dar-es-Salam. He was accompanied by his manager/trainer and 1980 Moscow Olympic Games flyweight,Emmanuel.
Emmanuel told Viva Sports/Manila/Standard Today in an interview following their arrival here Monday night that Amem was in great shape " because he is always training. He doesn't rest. He is basically always fit." Ameme stepped up training for the last month in preparation for the fight with Bautista.
Emmanuel said Ameme had to fight heavier opponents because "for the smaller weights everytime he punches them, he knocks them out. And, he can take a punch."
Acting as an interpreter since Ameme doesn't speak English, Emmanuel said they hadn't seen a tape of any of Bautista's fights but stressed that "we will take the fight to him and see how he reacts. We won't wait for him him to take the fightt to us. From the first bell we will go after him." However, Emannuel admitted that while Ameme was "a little slow, he packs a lot of punch."
In a blockbuster double-championship RP.No. 1 super featherweight Czar Amonsot (12-1-1, 9 KO's) goes after the WBO Asia Pacific junior lightweight crown of undefeated Victor Mausul (8-0-1, 4 KO's) of Indonesia. Amonsot and Bautista looked sharp in training at the famed Ala Gym of respected Cebu boxing patron Tony Aldeguer yesterday, prior to their departure for Tagbilaran City today where there will be a motorcade and a courtesy call on popular sportsman, Mayor Dan Neri Lim and Gov. Erico Aumentado who have been in the forefront of staging the championship fights featuring the "Pride of Bohol."Both Bautista and Amonsot are.from the extremely popular tourist destination.
Viva sports will telecast the fights on its top rated weekly boxing show "The Main Event" sponsored by Tanduay, the No. 1 Rhum and PLDT, over RPN 9 at 1:p.m on Sunday, November 20. Stunningly attractive Viva Hot Babes Gwen Garci and Zarah Lopez will serve as round girls in the championship fights.
