‘Boom’ retains WBO bantamweight title

CEBU CITY. Boholano boxing star Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista proved he still belongs to the elite group after he annihilated Mexican warrior Eden “Anestecista” Marquez in the second round of a scheduled 12-rounder last night at the Waterfront Hotel to retain the WBO Intercontinental superbantam title.

The 22-year old boxer from Candijay town emerged victorious in last night’s bout which is now his passport to a possible slot in a major event in the United States later this year.

Bautista who well defended his title in last night’s “WBO Night of Champions,” proved his entirely rejuvenated prowess after he showed his “sureness in defending himself” unlike his previous image as an eager beaver boxer who “does not reserve the best for last.”

The successful defense of his title was met with jubilation and pride especially from his province mates in Bohol whom he disappointed more than a year ago when he was defeated in a fight in San Francisco, California, USA.

Michael Aldeger, Boom Boom’s manager is very hopeful for a US fight against the Boholano boxer by the end of this year.

In the co-feature, WBO minimumweight king Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes also defended his title with a brutal second-round stoppage of Nicaraguan Eddy Castro.

The two fights were the co-main event in last night's "WBO Night of Champions" card presented by the ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN.

Referee Bruce McTavish stopped the bout at the 1:08 mark of the second round as Marquez looked unable to continue following several assaults by the Bohol-raised fighter.

A clubbing right hand stopped matters for Marquez, as Bautista chased him around the ring knowing that the visiting fighter was on dire straits and ripe for the taking.

Marquez started strong in the opening round, chasing Bautista around and kept himself busy as the reigning champion opted to use his lateral skills to somehow feel how much power Marquez had.

"I wanted to first feel how strong he was in the first round. My corner wanted me to be careful. I knew he had the power, and I didn't know his style," Bautista said when asked why he opted to be slow in the opening round.

With the win, Bautista's record now improves to 26 wins, 1 loss with 18 KO's, while Marquez dropped to 16-4-3, 12 KO's.

The win also paves the way for Bautista's possible inclusion in the mega-bout involving Oscar De la Hoya against Manny Pacquiao on December 6.

NIETES RETAINS TITLE

The Bacolod-raised Nietes, defending his title for the first time, dropped Castro in the opening round with a series of punches. The Nicaraguan, however, showed he came to fight as he beat the count of referee Raul Caiz Jr to finish the round.

Nietes, however, continued his onslaught in the second round, finally dropping Castro with a big right at the 2:49 mark of the round.

Castro had to be immediately given assistance by ringside physicians as he laid motionless on the canvas following the Nietes shot.

Up next for Nietes is a mandatory title defense possibly against Colombian Daniel Reyes, provided the latter gets past Luis Lazarte on September 26.

UNDERCARD

WBO Youth lightweight champ Jason Pagara scored a knockdown in the first round, and continued his onslaught before finally dropping Thailand's Kongdej Sithtrajtrakan in the fourth round for a technical knockout win.

Jomanz Omanz figured in a split draw with Roger Galicia; Weng Haya prevailed on a majority decision over Ricky Sismundo; while Albert Villacampa took a split decision win over JV "Fightdoc" Tuazon.

MEXICAN ANTHEM

Dumaguete City's Dominador Ibarra De los Santos was highly applauded following his rendition of the Mexican national anthem before the Bautista-Marquez fight. "He did really, really ok. I'm impressed," said Mexican Fernando Dominguez, Marquez' manager. Levi Martinez, an American of Mexican descent, was also all praises to De los Santos. (Salven Lagumbay, CDN)