By Ronnie Nathanielsz
WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista is ready for probably the biggest test of his young ring career when he clashes with Mexico’s Gerardo Espinoza at the Sycuan Resort Casino in El Cajon, California on Friday.
Shortly after his devastating second round knockout over Tanzania’s hapless and outclassed Obote "Thunder" Amemebia, Bautista left for the US along with Filipino trainer Edito "Ala" Villamor to step-up preparations at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in Los Angeles.
Despite having a problem adjusting to the cool weather, Bautista picked up his training in the past week and had some torrid sparring sessions where Villamor said the 19 year old looked impressive.
Bautista has sparred with WBO_NABO super flyweight champion Karen Harutyunyan as well as California lightweight champion Edgar Favian Vargas against whom Bautista looked very impressive and surprised Vargas. Another sparring partner super bantamweight Israel Nacarrete quit after three rounds against a fired up Bautista.
In his last sparring session against Mexican brothers Enrique anf Daniel Cuevedo over eight rounds Villamor reported that the WBO Asia Pacific champion was "in good condition and impressive." He said Bautista was expecting "a tough fight" against Espinoza.
In an email to Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today, Villamor said Bautista and members of his team led by his manager, well-known Cebu boxing patron Tony Aldeguer and business agent Michael Koncz were scheduled to leave for San Diego after lunch yesterday. It’s a two-hour drive from Aldeguer’s residence in West Covina.
Trainer Freddie Roach and assistant Justin Fortune are slated to follow on Friday morning and will join Villamor in Bautista’s corner.
The undefeated Bautista has a record of 18-0 with 14 knockouts while the taller Espinoza who stands 5’9" is the more experienced with 37 fights. The 25 year old Mexican has a record of 28-9 with 26 KO’s. He is coming off a majority decision loss to undefeated Miguel Aguiniga who has a record of 28-0 with 14 KO’s last August 12.
