By Ronnie Nathanielsz
South African challenger Vuyisile Bebe has warned WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista that “there is no way a youngster can knock me out when twenty others have failed” in a direct reference to the punching power of the undefeated 18 year old Bautista who has a ring record of 13 wins with 9 knockouts. The two will clash on January 29 at the Mandaue Sports Complex when Bautista, widely regarded as a champion of the future, stakes his title against the vastly experienced Bebe.
A short and compact veteran of nine years as a pro, Bebe has a record of 15-5 with six knockouts to his name. Bebe has never been knocked out in his career and has vowed to inflict the first loss on Bautista. Bebe was given the monicker “Killer McKoy” when he
stopped defending South African light flyweight champion Ndoda Mayende on October 29, 2000 after losing in their first battle some months earlier. Bebe eventually lost the title because of problems making the weight and has now moved up to the bantamweight division and earned a title crack at Bautista.
Well-known Cebu promoter Sammy Gello-ani who has seen Bebe in action said “it will be a tough fight that could go either way. I have seen Bebe fight and he is dangerous. This fight will determine whether Bautista is ready for the big-ime or not.” There is a tremendous demand for tickets with ringside seats selling for P700 and General Admission at P150. It seems there has not bee such a demand for tickets since the days of ALA Villamor who now trains Bautista. South African promoter and boxing manager Branco Malenkovic told Viva Sports/Manila Standard that Bebe “is a good fighter and a former champion” and the title clash with Bautista should be a classic.
