|
MEXICAN
Antonio “Barrio” Meza insists he is here to boost his
career by beating Filipino Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista.
In
yesterday’s press conference for the forthcoming
“Payback” card, Meza refuted reports that he has fought
nondescript fighters in filling out his supposed
impressive 23-2 record.
Meza,
the World Boxing Council (WBC) Fecombox
super-bantamweight champion, faces Bautista in Sunday
morning’s main event of the “Payback” card at the
Araneta Coliseum.
THEprotagonists and
promoters of this Sunday’s "Payback" card pose for
souvenir with beauteous lady ring announcer Amy Hayes.
--ROYDOMINGO
“I came
here to win. I prepare hard every time I fight. I will
win this fight either by knockout or decision,” said
Meza through interpreter and manager Fernando Dominguez.
Meza
said he served as one of the sparring partners for seven
straight weeks of world-rated and compatriot Luis
Maldonado, the challenger of Filipino world flyweight
champion Nonito Donaire Jr., also this Sunday.
“Juan
Manuel Marquez is now our superstar because Manny
Pacquiao beat all great Mexican fighters. I want to be
the next Marquez, or even greater than Marquez,” said
Meza. “Boom Boom” is one of the great fighters. We
respect him but once I meet him, he will feel the pain
of my punches.”
The
classy and well-attended presser was held yesterday at
the Meeting Room No. 5 of the Philippine International
Convention Center (PICC) where a three-layered table was
occupied by the boxers, promoters and other officials
involved in the event.
Bautista, who will stake his WBO Intercontinental
super-bantamweight title, also in a 12-round setto,
wants to redeem himself after his recent debacle.
“Kung
handa siya, mas naghanda ako. Ibang “Boom Boom”
ang makikita ng tao ngayon. Bata pa ako at may mga
pagkakamali pero ngayon naitama ko na ang mga
pagkakamali na ’yun,” said Bautista, who was
accompanied by manager Michael Aldeguer and chief
Filipino trainer Edito Villamor.
Third
Force Promotions president and former Philippine
Basketball Association commissioner Noli Eala assured
fans of a first-rate card as they aim to ultimately make
boxing a truly spectator sport.
A big
bonus is in store for fans who will watch the fight at
the Araneta Coliseum as the international feed of the
first title defense of Donaire against Maldonado will be
shown in a giant screen inside the venue. ABC 5 will
broadcast the fight starting at
10 a.m.
Also
present yesterday was beauteous lady ring announcer Amy
Hayes, who, aside from belting out her signature boxing
intro, said she will “wear something sexy but
appropriate.”
Also
seeing action is teen sensation AJ “Bazooka” Banal who
will battle another Mexican, Jovanny “Bambino” Soto, and
RP bantamweight champion Michael Domingo who will duke
it out with Tanzanian Anthony Matias. Regional
minimumweight champion Milan Melindo will be challenged
by Indonesian Jack Amisa.
A press
preview will be held today at the Market! Market! Mall
in Taguig, while the official weigh-in is set tomorrow
morning at the Gateway Mall at the Araneta Center. Both
events will be staged free to the public. |
