But it was far from the usual spectacular win for Bautista (18-0, 14 KO’s) as he absorbed his first knockdown in his young but celebrated career. He fell in the 2nd round after absorbing several hard blows from his more experienced opponent (28-19, 26 KOs) culminated by an overhand right that sent the young Boholano to the canvass. He hurriedly got up at the count of three, and after the mandatory 8-count, proceeded to mix it up again with the wily Mexican.

That was a dangerous move, something that underscores the relative inexperience and reckless exuberance of the 18-year-old ward of Tony Aldeguer. But he was fighting out of instinct and he was probably embarrassed by the knockdown and wanted to get back at his tormentor.

We had an opportunity to talk to Aldeguer by long distance from the States in our radio program over Sports Radio (918 kHz, Mondays, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30). It was one of those rare opportunities, because Aldeguer normally shuns on-air interviews. Perhaps it was the Christmas spirit, or the dogged persistence of Sports Radio’s Snow Badua, but we had an animated conversation with the well-liked boxing benefactor.

Aldeguer had no excuses, saying his boy was indeed tagged by a good punch, but that Boom-Boom showed he had the courage and the conditioning to bounce back from what appeared to be a losing fight. He revealed that not too many people gave him a chance of even getting up from that knockdown, much less of winning the fight.

But win the fight he did, earning the nod of all three judges. As a matter of fact, after the knockdown, Bautista immediately won the third round, 10-9. But Aldeguer admitted that after seeing Rey hit the canvass, he found it difficult to watch as he was afraid it was the end of the Candijay native. He was pleasantly surprised though, of the resilience and determination shown by the young boxer, who has now won all three of his fights in the United States.

Aldeguer disclosed that he still feels that although he sees a vast potential in his ward, he feels Boom-Boom still has a long way to go.

In the recent past, Aldeguer has received flak for allegedly foisting an untested Bautista on the public as someone bigger than he actually was. Aldeguer takes exception to these criticisms, saying he himself has declared his boy a nobody. And I can attest to that, having been told so by the Cebu-based Ilonggo sports benefactor himself in no uncertain terms a few months ago.

This was at the Malacañang Palace after the awards presentation for the triple victors, Pacquiao, Viloria and Bautista. He actually sought me out to confide that he was a bit apprehensive at all the attention Boom-Boom was getting, as it might give the boy the illusion that he had already arrived. He said he had to inculcate in the young fighter the reality that he was nowhere near the peak of his boxing career.

In our rare on-air conversation, Aldeguer still maintained that Boom-Boom still has a long way to go. He revealed that there is a standing offer from Top Rank, Bob Arum’s promotions company, for Bautista to either fight in the undercard of Brian Viloria in February or another card in Chicago. Aldeguer says he is still mulling over the options, at the same time hoping that sometime in March, Boom-Boom could fight a world ranked fighter at the Araneta Coliseum. He says if they can get financiers for the project, they would rather that Bautista fight in front of his countrymen first.

In the matter of the quality of opposition or lack thereof, Aldeguer maintains that they do not choose Bautista’s opponents. The promoters get them a fight and they accept the challenge. He however says that it would be foolish for him to get patsies for Bautista because it would be like leading his charge to the gallows especially when he starts fighting the top-level boxers. He says even Espinoza was no push-over; although the Tijuana native had lost his last four fights, they were against quality fighters, and he lost only on points. Besides, his record of 26 KOs in 28 wins speaks for itself.

Tony Aldeguer still foresees a bright future for Boom-Boom. But he cautions all that although the potential is there, he still needs to mature and learn valuable lessons on the way. He is getting top notch mentoring from his trainers Freddie Roach and Edito Villamor, the guidance from Aldeguer and his associate Sammy Gello-Ani and most of all, the support and prayers of his countrymen.

Other boxers should be so lucky.