By Ryan Songalia
When this writer made the trip to the ALA Boxing Gym in the Filipino province of Cebu just before the New Year, trainer Edito "Ala" Villamor iterated a truth that had largely gone unspoken in the career of Bohol, Philippines native Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista.
"He's only 24 years old," said Villamor, as if it had just occurred to him. "Most fighters his age in America are just four round fighters."
It seems like Bautista, 29-2 (22 KO), is much older, having turned pro a week before his 17th birthday in 2003. Bautista's aggressive, power-punching style drew parallels with another Filipino breakout star, which may have created urgency to bring Bautista along quicker than he was ready for.
After being anointed the Filipino flag-bearer in the super bantamweight (122 pounds) division alongside Puerto Rico's Juan Manuel Lopez and Mexico’s Daniel Ponce De Leon, Bautista's inexperience was his undoing in his two attempts to rise in class against Ponce De Leon (a first round knockout loss) in 2007 and Heriberto Ruiz (a lop-sided decision loss) in 2008.
So now, after having fought internationally and being given a title shot, Bautista is receiving an opportunity he hasn't yet had: a chance to mature.
"He needs more seasoning and maturity in the ring," says Dennis Canete, Vice President of ALA Boxing Promotions, which represents Bautista. "A title fight for 'Boom Boom' is out of the question for the next two years. "
Bautista concurs.
“Because of the [wrist injury sustained in the Ruiz loss] that sidelined me for over a year, I feel that I still need to train more and get more rounds under my belt to challenge for a title,” said Bautista. “But I leave the decisions to my promoter and manager Sir Antonio Aldegeur, who has been more than a father to me.”
On January 29 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City, Philippines, Bautista will pick up where he left off in his most recent fight, when he won an abbreviated bout over Alejandro "Zorrito” Barrera by fourth round TKO in August.
The 31-year-old Barrera, 21-4 (14 KO), of Mexico City, Mexico, has been a professional five years longer than Bautista.
"Should 'Boom Boom' win this fight our next target is 1 or 2 more fights here before embarking of fighting abroad," said Canete.
In their initial meeting, Filipino referee Tony Pesons stopped the fight midway through the fourth when a cut opened up over Barrera's right eye that began to mar Barrera's vision. Bautista had some difficulties early on due to his unfamiliarity with his opponent.
“It’s not like my team didn't prepare well because we always train hard for all my fights,” said Bautista. “After the fight we just felt we were at a disadvantage because we have never seen a video of Barrera - not even on Youtube - and my fights are all over the internet. Now, after having fought him last year, we already know what to expect and I have been so focused in my preparations for this fight.”
The stoppage was met by boos and controversy when many in the stands were displeased with the premature ending. Some may have felt that the cut that led to the stoppage came from a headbutt, but replays show that the final headbutt affected Barrera's left side.
"The actual reason why the fight became controversial is the fact that the crowd felt short-changed since it lasted only for four rounds," Canete says.
"The rematch is a promoter’s dream and the fans also clamored for it so why not make it happen when both protagonists also really want the fight to happen."
Barrera, who is a cousin of boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera, last fought in October in Mexico, winning a fifth round knockout over trial horse Arturo Hernandez. Bautista hasn’t fought since their first clash.
Ryan Songalia is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and contributes to GMANews.TV and the Filipino Reporter newspaper. From January through April, he will cover the Daily News Golden Gloves tournament for the New York Daily News. He can be reached at ryan@ryansongalia.com . An archive of his work can be found at www.ryansongalia.com . Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ryansongalia .