Boom Boom makes ring return against Indonesian foe

CEBU CITY – Former world title contender Rey “Boom Boom" Bautista makes his ring return after almost a year of inactivity when he takes on Marangin Marbun of Indonesia Friday at the Waterfront Hotel here. The 23-year-old Bautista underwent surgery February of this year after pain on his left wrist which has been bugging him for nearly two years already became unbearable. “I’ve been tolerating the pain for almost two years but the doctors finally said an operation is needed to stop the pain. Luckily there was nothing serious with my wrist," said Bautista moments after the official weigh-in Thursday morning at the SM Entertainment Plaza here. Bautista came in at an official weight of125.5lbs while Marbun tallied 124.5. At stake in their 12-round clash is the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) International Featherweight crown. Three months after his operation Bautista returned to the gym and has since been given clearance by his doctor to resume his ring career. Bautista’s last fight was an 8th round decision loss to former world title challenger Heriberto Ruiz of Mexico last November 2008 in Las Vegas. Bautista, from Tagbilaran, Bohol holds a record of 26 wins and two losses with 19 of those wins coming by way of knockout. His other loss was a 1st round stoppage at the hands of Mexican knockout artist Daniel Ponce De Leon last August 2007. Marbun (19-5-1, 7 KO’s) meanwhile will be making his second trip to the country. February of 2008 Marbun lost a close 10-round verdict to Filipino Ciso Morales in a bout held in Tubod, Lanao Del Norte. “I have no idea about his style and I decided not to watch his fight with Morales because chances are he has improved a lot since that loss," said Bautista. Since bowing to Morales, Marbun has gone 8-1-1. His last fight was a 10-round draw to compatriot Sonny Manakane in a battle for the Indonesian super bantamweight title. Incidentally both Bautista and Marbun will be fighting for the first time in the 126lb division. Undercard Bautista’s fellow ALA fighter Czar Amonsot meets Thailand-based Jesus Muzaka Singwancha of Congo in a 10-round super featherweight non-title clash. It will be Amonsot’s third ring outing since recovering from a brutal bout with Australian Michael Katsidis during their interim WBO lightweight face-off last July 2007 in Las Vegas. Katsidis went on to win the bout with a close but unanimous decision. However, both fighters ended up in the hospital with Amonsot being medically suspended indefinitely by the Nevada Commission as specks of blood were seen outside his brain. The 24-year-old Amonsot (20-3-1, 11 KO’s) has been given clearance by notable doctors in the Philippines and is hoping for a lifting of his suspension in Las Vegas soon. Singwancha (16-7, 8 KO‘s), won the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia-Pacific super featherweight belt via decision over Filipino Rey Labao last July in Naga, Cebu. Singwancha's belt will not be at stake for this fight. Other weights Jason Pagara, 135lbs vs. Decha Kokietgym, 137lbs (Thailand) (10 rounds) Mark John Yap, 114.5 vs. Pramuansak Posuwan, 115.5 (Thailand) (10 rounds). – Dennis Principe, GMANews.TV