By Ronnie Nathanielsz
World Boxing Organization Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey Bautista scored a sensational first round knockout victory over tough Indonesian, Christian "Kibo" Casino in a scheduled ten round non-title bout before the biggest crowd of boxing fans ever seen in the 18 year old champion's hometown in Tagbilaran, Bohol, Sunday.
Bautista who is already being hailed as the next Manny Pacquiao because of his quickness and his aggressive style destroyed Casino with three devastating shots to the body in the process fracturing the Indonesians ribs. Regarded by many boxing afficionados as a world champion of the future, Bautista cornered Casino who tried to counter- punch his way out of trouble only to be nailed by a vicious left uppercut followed by two more devastating shots to the body that sent him crashing to the canvas to be counted out by referee Tony Pison. Bautista's manager Tony Aldeguer, the well-known Cebu boxing patron described his protege's performance as "very impressive."
In the main supporting bout undefeated Philippine featherweight champion Cesar Amonsot bucked a cut over the right eye to score a sixth round TKO over former Indonesian champion Leed Sabu connecting with a series of combinations that had the hapless Indonesian unable to answer forcing the referee to call a halt.
Casino who won six of seven fights this year and was coming off an impressive eight round decision over Andre Talabessy dropped to 7-5 with 3 KO's while the undefeated Bautista improved to 12-0 with 8 knockouts. Amonsot also continued his unbeaten streak with his seventh win, six of them coming by way of knockouts while Sabu dropped to 7-5.
