By Ronnie Nathanielsz
Two of the country’s most promising young boxers, regarded by many as future world champions, see action Saturday against formidable challengers from abroad. WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Rey Bautista defends his title against tough and tested South African Vuyisile Bebe at the Mandaue City Sports Complex while Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation champion Rodel Mayol stakes his minimum weight crown against Indonesian champion Marti Polii at Casino Filipino, Paranaque.
Both Filipinos are undefeated but Bautista clearly has the tougher challenge to overcome as the 28 year old Bebe has been described by well-known South African promoter and manager Branco Malenkovic as a “good fighter” and is reportedly in excellent condition. Bebe has vowed to take the title home to Cape Town while his trainer-manager David Faas has stressed that they “didn’t come here for a trip” and that Bebe was prepared to go twelve rounds if he had to.
Bautista, a protégé of respected Cebu boxing patron Tony Aldeguer with a record of 12-0 with 9 knockouts isn’t fazed by the tough talk of Bebe and his trainer and has promised a sell-out crowd and a large contingent of Manila boxing writers who are flying to Cebu to see one of the country’s hottest prospects, that he had no intention of giving his championship belt away.
The undefeated Mayol who has a record of 19-0 with 15 knockouts is heavily favored to win by knockout against Polii who earned the approval of the OPBF for the title shot after defeating Indonesian champion and OPBF No. 2 ranked La Syukur by an eighth round TKO last May 18. However, Polii who is coming off a ten round unanimous decision over Edmund Velayo last December 14, earlier suffered a stunning seventh round TKO at the hands of promising Donnie Nietes on August 3, 2004. Mayol is rated No. 2 by the WBC, No. 4 by the WBA and No. 6 by the WBO and hopes to move closer to a world title shot with a big win tonight.
The championship belt for the winner of the OPBF title fight is to be awarded by Sen. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr while the fights to be telecast on the top-rated boxing show 'MAIN EVENT' on Sunday, February 6 at 1:00 p.m. over RPN 9 is sponsored by Tanduay Rhum, Pagcor, PCSO and Red Bull.
