From the rice fields to a boxing ring

Dubai: From the paddy fields of Candijay, to becoming one of the most famous boxers produced by the Philippines, it has been a long and arduous journey for Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista.

Candijay is a fourth-class municipality in the province of Bohol with a population of around 30,000. And Bautista is definitely one of its more famous sons after he used his boxing ability to step out of poverty and into the glamour world of sport.

After being discovered by Nemi Monton, an official from the Boxing Development of the Bohol region, Bautista started with amateur bouts and then, a week shy of his 17th birthday, he turned professional, never to look back.

Bautista made an amazing start by remaining unbeaten in his first 23 fights. And after 38 bouts, he had just three losses — two of these against Mexican opponents — Daniel Ponce de Leon and Jose Ramirez.

On Friday, Bautista will be one of 12 top boxers at “Pinoy Pride 27: Duel in Dubai” taking on another Mexican Juan Jose ‘Piquet’ Martinez over ten rounds in an elimination fight with the winner getting an opportunity to challenge for the WBO Junior Lightweight Championship.

Nearly three months of hard work has put the 28-year-old in great shape for Friday’s bout, and he remains unfazed that he has to face yet another Mexican.

“Losing to the Mexicans in the past is always at the back of my mind. They are warriors in the ring. But this time I am concentrated in what I need to do and win as I want to challenge for the crown,” Bautista told Gulf News.

“I think I have trained hard enough to do the necessary damage.”