By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Emerging ring sensation Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista's new opponent for his September 16 bout on the undercard of the Marco Antonio Barrera - Rocky Juarez rematch is Brazil's super bantamweight champion Giovanni Andrade, a 36 year old veteran with an impressive record of 51-9 with 41 knockouts.
The tough Brazilian was picked by Golden Boy Promotions as a replacement for Moises Gutierrez, the Chilean champion who could not get a visa to enter the U.S forcing Golden Boy to look for a worthy replacement. However, one concern must be the fact that Andrade is scheduled to fight Derrick Gainer for the vacant USBA lightweight title on August 12 and takes on Sixto Vera Espinola for the World Boxing Commission super bantamweight title on August 25.
Matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz who urged promoter Murad Muhammad to sign up Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao said they have "big plans for Boom Boom but we are not rushing things." The undefeated Bautista who has a record of 20-0 with 15 knockouts is only 20.
Lewkowicz reportedly told well-known promoter Sammy Gello-ani that Bautista "can learn much from Andrade because of his experience" adding that the fight will be "a good testing ground for him (Bautusta) before he fights for a world title."
Andrade is coming off a second round KO of Cristobao Borges last June 25 after losing by a second round KO to Takalani Ndlovu of South Africa in a IBO super bantamweight title fight last May 25 in Brakpan, South Africa.
Andrade lost to WBA Fedelatin champion Martin Honorio by a second round TKO on September 3, 2004 and was disqualified in the final round of a tough fight against Celestino Caballero in a battle for the vacant NABA bantamweight title.
Bautista leaves for Los Angeles tomorrow with outstanding Filipino trainer Edito "Ala" Villamor, a two-time world title challenger. Bautista will train at the Wild Card Gym.
