By Ronnie Nathanielsz
WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista battles tough Tanzanian KO artist Obote Ameme in a crucial title defense that headlines a blockbuster fight card that is expected to draw some 20,000 fans at the Tagbilaran City sports complex on November 19. Well-known sportsman, Mayor Dan Neri Lim will host the fight card in a tribute to two promising young champions of the future from Bohol.
Hometown fans from Bohol will be treated to an action-packed evening of boxing as another favorite son of the province, Cesar Amonsot battles undefeated WBO Asia Pacific junior lightweight champion Victor Mausul of Indonesia in a title fight that may well steal the thunder from the main event.
Bautista, fresh from a spectacular third round demolition of Colombian veteran Felix Flores Murillo in the undercard of the Top Rank promotion "Double Trouble" which also featured ring idol Manny Pacquiao and WBA light flyweight champion Brian Viloria is determined to score another impressive victory and move forward towards a world title shot.
WBO champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin (65-8, 42 KO’s) will defend his title on Saturday against Jhonny Gonzalez ( 30-4, 26 KO’s) at the Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson, Arizona. Ratanachai has indicated that should be retain the title he would be ready to take on Bautista who is currently ranked No. 2. Should Gonzalez win then Bautista is certain to move up to No.1 and be in line for a crack at the champion.
But Bautista is not looking beyond his fight with Ameme who has 22 KO’s in 27 wins with 9 losses. Bautista who is undefeated with a 17-0 card including 11 knockouts has been billed as the next Manny Pacquiao but Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim who is playing host to the fight card said there is only one Manny Pacquiao just as there is only one "Boom Boom" Bautista.
