By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Obote “Thunder” Ameme has vowed that WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista “will be shocked” when they meet in the main event of a blockbuster double championship in Tagbilaran City on Saturday before what is certain to be a huge crowd of Boholano supporters.

Prior to taking the long and tiresome flight from the Tanzanian capital of Dar-es-Salam, Obete sent word to Bautista that he was “never afraid” and had often fought boxers in a much higher weight division in his ring record of 27 wins, 22 by knockouts with 9 losses, mostly against bigger and heavier opponents. Ameme is expected to arrive in Manila at 2:30 p.m. on Monday on an Air Emirated flight from Dubai.

Ameme’s name is derived from the Swahili word “umeme” which means “thunder” hence the nickname “Thunder” Ameme. The East African fighter said his nickname reflects his “punching power” which he said will be evident when he battles the reigning, undefeated champion Bautista.

Bautista who has a ring record of 17-0 with 11 KO’s is expected to move up to No. 1 in the WBO world bantamweight rankings following his September 11 third round annihilation of Colombian KO artist Felix Flores Murillo.

Bautista is in great shape and the “Pride of Bohol” is looking forward to putting on a show for his hometown fans who are already clamoring for tickets in the biggest boxing event in the history of Bohol with Tagbilaran City’s well-known sportsman – Mayor Dan Neri Lim supported by Bohol Governor Erico Aumentado – and civic-spirited citizens of Bohol making the event possible.

Philippine No.1 super featherweight Czar Amonsot who is from Tagbilaran City will be under pressure to deliver when he battles undefeated WBO junior lightweight champion Victor Mausul of Indonesia in the main supporting bout. Amonsot, a flashy southpaw with a wicked left hook hopes to make it a double celebration for the boys from Bohol. 

The fights will be telecast on Viva Sports  top-rated weekly boxing show “The Main Event” at 1:00 p.m. on November 20 over RPN 9 sponsored by Tanduay, the No. 1 Rhum and PLDT. The fights will also be telecast over PBO, Pinoy Box Office on Dream TV nationally s well as the entire Middle East.