REY “BOOM-BOOM” BAUTISTA, THE TRANSFORMATION
AND WHY HE LOST TO PONCE DE LEON A YEAR AGO

By Rod Mijares, LV Valley Balita
November 19, 2008

Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista, the pride of Candijay, Bohol and the next Manny Pacquiao is back in America for a non-title super bantamweight fight with Mexican Heriberto Ruiz on November 22, 2008 as an undercard of the “Power vs. Precision” boxing event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena featuring Englishman Ricky Hatton and American Paulie Malignaggi for the Ring Magazine and IBO Light Welterweight titles.

It was like yesterday more than a year ago at Arco Arena, Sacramento, California on August 11, 2007 when he captained the 6-man Philippine team against the Mexican team and captured the coveted Boxing World cup.   Ironically, his was the only lost for the Philippine team when he was knockdown on the first round of their scheduled 12-round bout by Daniel Ponce de Leon, thus losing the opportunity to become the WBO super bantamweight champion on his first try for the world title.

Not to take the credit away from Ponce de Leon who did an excellent job in knocking down Bautista, Boom-Boom revealed to me what could be an important factor why he was not himself on the night of the fight that resulted to his disappointing lost.  Unbeknownst to all, even from his camp he told me, “I had a fever that night.”  That explained why he was barely moving during the introduction uncommon for any boxer as opposed to Ponce de Leon who was all fired up, flexing his whole body from head to feet.

“It’s boxer’s pride,” Edito told me why he was not informed by Boom-Boom that he had a fever.  Pride or not.  I believe it’s character.  Bautista has developed a strong conviction not to fail his countrymen.   That Filipino trait, “walang atrasan” (no backing down) got the better of him.  Like any entertainer for that matter, the show must go on.  Filipino legend Francisco “Pancho Villa” Guilledo ignored the very fact that he just had a tooth extraction proceeded and finished his last fight on July 4, 1925 against Jimmy McLarnin.  Michael Jordan’s 38-point output with a 103 degree fever helped give the Chicago Bulls a 3-2 lead in the 1997 NBA finals.  Like them, that is Bautista now, a young boxer with character.

After that only lost in his young career with 23 wins, Bautista and his camp were back to the drawing table.  Back to basic and more emphasis on defense and improvement on offense.  He fought three fights in the Philippines which he won all, the product of his transformation.  Bautista’s camp is ecstatic.

He is training so hard for his upcoming bout with Ruiz.  “He is more focus now and very much mentally prepared.  It needs a year to develop new techniques and skills and Boom-Boom got it now ready for his fight on Saturday,”  Edito Villamor, Bautista’s trainer said.

“Boom-Boom has improved a lot in defense. Although, he is the same boxer that wants to reap his opponent’s head off, he is more controlled now.  He is able to control his aggression.  Also, he has a good jab now and is using those jabs consistently.  His level of confidence improved tremendously.  He is still hungry and has more to show and Edito can teach Bautista more ways to improve,” Tony Martin, ALA Gym’s cut man/trainer said.

Boxing fans in the Philippines have seen Boom-Boom’s transformation with his wins against three Mexican boxers prior to the fight on November 22, 2008 at the Cebu and Araneta Coliseum.  On Saturday, boxing fans in America, especially, the Filipinos will get the chance to see that transformation live at MGM Grand Arena or on HBO’s World Championship Boxing broadcast.  With a win, the transformation really did wonders.