By Ronnie Nathanielsz
WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista showed more zip in his punches as he began sparring at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in Los Angeles as the undefeated 19 year old stepped up preparations for his next fight in the US.
A brief text message from trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor said Bautista sparred against Daniel Cuevedo for three rounds and looked good despite the fact that he was around 129 pounds after a break of several weeks. Cuevedo quit after three rounds after the hard-hitting Filipino bloodied his nose with some wicked shots.Bautista is coming off an impressive eighth round unanimous decision againstn tough Mexican Gerardo Espinoza. After being dropped in the second round Bautista quickly got up and hammered Espinoza the rest of the way and had him in trouble several times.
WBO No. 4 and OPBF No. 1 super flyweight Z “The Dream” Gorres sparred six rounds with WBC light flyweight champion Brian Viloria and more than held his own against the little Filipino who makes the first defense of his title against former champion Jose Antonio Aguirre next month. Gorres battles Alfredo Tirado on February 3 at the Orleans Casino in Las Vegas.
WBO Asia Pacific junior lightweight champion Czar Amonsot who clashes with Mexican Antonio Wong on the same card sparred with featherweight Juan Ruiz over six rounds and according to Villamor was “very impressive.” Roach himself told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today that Amonsot was gaining in confidence every day and was looking good.
