WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista U.S. mainland debut against Mexican veteran Gilberto Bolanos at the Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas scheduled for April 8 has been called off according to his manager, well-known Cebu boxing patron Tony Aldeguer.
Aldeguer who is scheduled to leave Los Angeles for Manila with Bautista and trainer Ala Villamor on April 3 told Manila Standard Today that "there was talk about a fight in April or May" after Bautista made his debut in Honolulu last March 11 when he scored an impressive fifth round TKO over rugged Thai fighter Aree Phosuwangym but "nothing is definite yet." Aldeguer said Bautista had suffered a slight rib injury and a cut on his forehead and his present plans called for the highly-rated 18 year old to fight in the Philippines. The undefeated Bautista is currently training at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in Los Angeles and Aldeguer said "I honestly like what I see. Bautista is attracting a lot of attention."
Aldeguer said he had "declined" an offer for an April 8 battle with with Bolanos who is 35 years old and has a poor `fight record of 3-7-1 although all three victories were by knockouts which says something about his punching power.Bolanos dropped a unanimous eight round decision to Nonito Donaire last November 11 but did score an impressive seventh round TKO over tough Karen Harutyunan when the fight was stopped on cuts last August 6. Harutyunan was one of Manny Pacquiao's former sparring partners.
Bautista who is undefeated has a record of 18-0 withy 10 knockouts and is coming off a fifth round TKO over rugged Thai Aree Phosuwangym in Honolulu last March 11. Aldeguer said he declined another offer for a fight in May because he said "at this stage I want Bautista to concentrate on training and honing his skills under Freddie Roach."
