By Ronnie Nathanielsz
WBO Asia Pacific president Leon Panoncillo has warned that Tanzania’s Obote Ameme is a tough opponent and reigning bantamweight champion Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista better be careful when they clash in a title fight in Tagbilaran City on November 19.
Panoncillo said he had “mandated Rey Bautista to defend his title against Ameme as the mandatory challenger because he is more than deserving as the challenger. It will be a tough test for Bautista because he is facing a fighter who is strong and tough.”
Popular sportsman and Tagbilaran City Mayor Danilo Neri Lim granted that Ameme is a formidable challenger to Bautista’s title and said “’if ever Bautista has to lose a fight we would rather that it happen here in Bohol among his paisanos but I believe the “Pride of Bohol” will not let this happen.. I predict Boom-Boom to win.”
Mayor Lim is in the forefront of a wholehearted effort to showcase the province of Bohol and its people in the historic event which is being staged with the full support of Governor Aumentado and the provincial government as well as the city government of Tagbilaran City.
In a supporting title bout on the blockbuster fight card to be telecast by Viva Sports over RPN 9 at 1:00 p.m. on November 20, sponsored by Tanduay,. the No. 1 Rhum and PLDT-Smart, another hometown boy Cesar Amonsot, the Philippines No. 1 ranked junior lightweight battles undefeated WBO Asia Pacific champion Victor Mausul of Indonesia.
Bautista who has a record of 17-0 with 11 knockouts has been hailed as the next Manny Pacquiao especially after his spectacular third round knockout win over hard-hitting Felix Flores Murillo of Colombia last September 11 on the undercard of “Double Trouble” which also featured Brian Viloria and Pacquiao who also scored sensational KO wins.
