By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The great Oscar De La Hoya took time out to console a depressed Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista during a visit by the undefeated 20 year old to the Golden Boy Promotions office in Los Angeles yesterday along with trainer Edito "Ala" Villamor.
Bautista suffered a freak accident while shadow boxing at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach and was examined and treated by orthopedic specialist Dr. Kee Wong of the Orthopedic Medical Group and Athletic Rehabilitation Center in California who recommended six weeks of rest and healing after he discovered a fracture of the right clavicle.
The injury forced Bautista who has a record of 20-0 with 15 KO's and is ranked No.1 by the WBO and No. 5 by the WBC to pull out of his scheduled battle with Brazilian super bantamweight Giovanni Andrade on the undercard of the rematch between WBC super featherweight champion Marco Antonio Barrera and Rocky Juarez on September 16. It was the second unfortunate setback for the emerging ring sensation who also had to pullout of his clash with Mexico's Alejandro Fernando Montiel on the Manny Pacquiao - Oscar Larios undercard last July 2 after he was down with a virus infection. .
De La Hoya showed his kindness and told Bautista not to worry because fights were being lined up for him after his recovery. De La Hoya said "Bautista is still young and he still has a long way to go. Golden Boy Promotions are lining up a couple of fights for him after he gets well."
Bautista who was fitted with a shoulder brace to assist in the healing process returns on Monday along with Villamor and is expected to spend time with his family in Candijay, Bohol.
