By Ronnie Nathanielsz
There were no government officials even from the country’s boxing authority the Games and Amusements Board and no politicians seeking to bask in the reflected glory of a future world champion in the eyes of celebrated trainer Freddie Roach, when WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista arrived on a PAL flight from Los Angeles at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday.
But the 19 year Bautista, heralded as the “next Manny Pacquiao” who sparked a Philippines triple crown with a spectacular third round knockout victory over rugged Colombian Felix Flores Murillo last Sunday was embraced by customs and immigration officials, hundreds of fans who were waiting to welcome relatives or friends and a handful of journalists who were on hand to give Bautista the recognition he richly
deserved.
The moment the smiling Bautista stepped out of the customs, hundreds of fans applauded, shouted his name and waved. Bautista, all smiles approached the railings that held them back, went down the line shaking their hands and thanking them before rushing to catch a connecting flight to Cebu and then on to Bohol where a huge motorcade and reception awaited him.
Filipino ring idol and "national treasure"Manny Pacquiao who fired the passion of boxing fans after Bautista and Brian Viloria set the stge with Viloria winning the WBC light flyweight title with a devastating first round KO over Eric Ortiz, is expected to get a hero's welcome complete with ticker tape parade when he arrives this morning.
Well known manager and promoter Sammy Gello-ani who helps handle Bautista for respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer and trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor, himself a former two-time world title challenger both agreed that Bautista was “impressive” in his U.S. debut and that big-time promoters led by Bob Arum of Top Rank had sat up and taken notice of the undefeated youngster from Bohol.
Gello-ani said he had dropped by the Wild Card Gym of Roach on the eve of their departure where Roach reiterated what he had told Viva Sports in its pre-fight special on the “Main Event” last September 4 that “your boy will be the Philippines next champion and he is loved by the press here in America.”
Gello-ani revealed that Top Rank wanted Bautista to fight on October 7 but that he had spoken to Bautista and trainer Villamor and they both decided “it would be best to rest first and fight sometime in November or December or early next year.”
Bautista whose father is a fisherman and his mother a vendor said he was “very homesick and missed his parents, brothers and sisters” but he was prepared to make whatever sacrifice was necessary and “trained hard to earn a good name for myself and my country.”
Bautista said he was not awed by the Staples Center or the fans because this was his “dream” and he was ready to “fight anybody.”
He admitted that Murillo was “a strong puncher who shook me with some hard shots” and that he felt the difference in weight since Murillo came in at 120 pounds to Bautista’s 118. He said Murillo was better than all his previous opponents and he “could not take any chances.” Bautista said he would “fight anybody chosen by my manager Mr. Aldeguer or trainer Ala Villamor provided the weights are even.”
Villamor himself said he believes Bautista is “ready for a world title shot” against reigning WBO champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin while Bautista said he was willing to fight any of the current world champions.
Bautista said he was “encouraged and inspired” by the reference to him as the next Manny Pacquiao and he would “do everything possible to repay the public’s support and fulfill my dream of becoming a world champion.” He said he would take the best he has learned from Roach and Villamor and put them together to become an even better fighter. He also thanked President Arroyo for “all her support and encouragement.”
