Dubai: If you think the legendary Manny Pacquiao is the alpha and omega of Filipino boxing, you may want to drop in at the Chi Garden this Friday night.
A group of young pugilists are out to show boxing fans in Dubai there's plenty more to come from the land that produced a man regarded as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today.
And the moment Rey ‘Boom Boom' Bautista, Milan Melindo and Larry ‘Bon Jovi' Canillas make their entrance into the ring at KO6: The Philippines versus The Rest of The World, you can be sure they will need no introduction to the hundreds of Filipino expatriates expected to be at ringside.
"Since they've got off the plane, every Filipino has come up to them and greeted them. It's taken me by surprise," said Zack Taumafai, the head of KO Promotions, one of the event's promoters. "I went to pick them up from the airport and there were people coming up to them asking for autographs and photos. I took them out for lunch to the mall and it was the same. There's a supermarket near my gym and we walk in there and people go ‘Boom Boom'," he added.
The trio are quick to acknowledge Pacquiao's legacy and the role it's played in their own careers. "He opened the doors for boxers in the Philippines," said Melindo who will be defending his WBC Youth Intercontinental title in the flyweight division against Colombia's Devis Perez tomorrow.
"We talk all the time," added Bautista. Pacquiao had been scheduled to visit Dubai but his hectic election campaign back home forced him into an unfortunate change of plan. However, Melindo and Bautista are convinced they have what it takes to compensate for their compatriot's absence. "I'm excited that the people in Dubai will get to watch my fight. I consider myself a very scientific fighter. If my opponent gives his all, I'll make sure to entertain the fans with my own style," said Melindo.
Bautista, on a gradual recovery from a wrist injury he suffered a year ago hopes his bout with Saichon Sotornpitak can help put his career back on track. "I was just 21 when I challenged for the WBO super bantamweight world title and I was undefeated then," said Bautista of his first round technical knockout loss to Mexican Daniel Ponce de Leon in 2007. "This is a stepping stone towards getting back into contention for a world championship," he added.
