On Sunday, December 2nd , 2007, the biggest boxing promotion of the year will be held in the mecca of sports events in the country, — the Araneta Coliseum. The card will feature 10 bouts to be highlighted by two of the Philippines’ most promising and exciting young fighters, Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and AJ “Bazooka” Banal against highly ranked young Mexican boxers.

The 21-year-old Bautista, with a record of 23-1 with 17 KO’s, is set to stake his WBO Intercontinental Super Bantamweight belt against stiff competition for his ring return as he battles Antonio Meza of Mexico on December 2 at the historic Araneta Coliseum.

Meza, 24, holds a record of 23-2 with 16 KO’s. His two losses came at the hands of former WBA interim world bantamweight champion Julio Zarate and WBC Latino 122-lb champion Ricardo Castillo, both well-known Mexican campaigners.
Serving as a major attraction is the inclusion of undefeated and equally explosive teen phenomenon AJ “Bazooka” Banal in the card. The 18-year-old Banal (15-0-1, 12 KO’s) meets Jovanny Sotto (25-7-1, 20 KO’s) also of Mexico in a 12-round encounter for Banal’s WBO Youth Superflyweight Championship.

PAYBACK will be the biggest boxing promotion in the country this year marking the return of big time pro boxing at the Araneta Coliseum. Not only are there International titles at stake in the event, but its is also a prelude to what could become another face-off between what is recognized as the two top boxing countries in the world, Mexico vs. the Philippines.

It is also a momentous occasion in Bautista’s career as this is Boom Boom’s first fight since receiving his first professional loss as a boxer to Daniel Ponce de Leon. Can he bounce back or is it the beginning of the end?
Boom Boom has vowed to make his first fight ever in Manila a memorable one for the big city fans. A victory in December would mean the first step towards a much-awaited rematch with his tormentor, World Champion Daniel Ponce de Leon.

For AJ Banal, this fight is his chance to prove many boxing experts including the legendary Freddie Roach, right that “Bazooka” is indeed the most promising fighter in the world today. Is he really for real?

With the sensational rise to fame of Manny Pacquiao, the sport of boxing has seen a phenomenal explosion in the country in terms of popularity of the sport, and opportunities for our Filipino fighters. However, while the Filipino fight fan has obviously been rewarded with a wealth of victories by our boxers, — most of these victories had been achieved abroad. Despite its popularity, boxing promotions in the Philippines had been scarce and limited; thus, depriving our boxing aficionados the chance to witness big time boxing up close.

Payback seeks to change all of that. The consortium of sportsmen-businessmen who are bankrolling this project, led by former PBA Commissioner Jose Emmanuel “Noli” Eala, has promised to stage a boxing promotion like no other. It will have the look, feel and touch of Las Vegas right here in our backyard — truly, a “must-see” sporting event of the year.
It is our hope that with “Payback”, we can truly elevate the sport of boxing into a viable spectator sport and spark the renaissance of big time promotions in the Philippines.

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