By Ronnie Nathanielsz

WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion Rey Bautista has continued training through the Christmas season in preparation for his first title defense against tough South African challenger Vuyisile Bebe on January 29 at the Mandaue City Sports Complex. Widely touted as the “next Manny Pacquaio,”  the 18 year old Bautista has set an example worth emulating, which is what WBA/IBF champion Juan Manuel Marquez has done, working out even on Christmas day.

During a recent visit to Australia where he trained at the Fighters Factory boxing gym in Melbourne owned by trainer and promoter Murray Thomson , journalist Graeme Mackinnon reported that the gym “came to a standstill when Bautista climbed into the ring. During his sparring sessions with Thomson and trainer Edito Villamor using punch-mits, the other boxers in the gym stopped their workouts to admire the speed and grace of Bautista.” Mackinnon said Thomson was “lavish in his praise of Bautista’s skills” and added that the hard-hitting Filipino “could shoot for the stars if he continues to make the sacrifices elite athletes must make if they want to make it to the top.”

Bautista, under the watchful eye of his manager, respected Cebu boxing patron Tony Aldeguer, realizes the importance of preparation and remembered that in years past he spent Christmas with his family “with no food on the table,” making it easier for him to skip the celebrations and work hard for his future. Bautista realizes that Bebe, the former South African junior flyweight champion, is tough and durable. Promoter Sammy Gello-ani who watched Bebe scored an impressive six round decision over Midokhulu  Funde in Cape Town recently said Bautista “should not make the mistake of taking Bebe lightly because he could get into trouble.”

Well-known South African promoter Branco Malenkovic who manages WBC No. 2 super featherweight Mzonke Fana who scored a split decision over Randy Suico last May told Viva Sports/Manila Standard Bebe “was a good South African champion” although he said he “maybe past his best.”

Pacquiao’s American trainer Freddie Roach who studied a tape of Bautista’s fights had high hopes for the bantamweight and said he would be happy to train him in his Wild Card Gym where, within one month, he did wonders for Bautista’s stablemate Z “The Dream” Gorres who, in the latest WBO ratings, was surprisingly rated No. 6 bantamweight while Bautista was ranked No. 9. Gorres who scored an impressive ten round unanimous decision over rugged Thai Chaiyong Distar on the
under-card of the Manny Pacquiao-Fahsan 3K Battery “Yanig sa Taguig” main event is being eyed by international promoter Murad Muhammad for a slot on the Pacquiao-Marquez rematch on February 26.