Fight fans who have been wondering whatever happened to the promising Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista after his disappointing knockout at the hands of WBO super bantamweight champion Daniel Ponce De Leon and his subsequent loss to Heriberto Ruiz, don’t need to wonder any longer.

The respected patron of the Ala Gym – Tony Aldeguer informed us that Boom Boom who was considered a future world champion by Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy Promotions is slowly getting back into shape for a scheduled return to the ring at the Waterfront Hotel on October 16 .

Bautista who has a record of 26-2 with 19 knockouts will challenge WBC International featherweight champion Rachamangol Sor Pleonchit of Thailand who has a record of 9-1 with 5 knockouts.

The Thai fighter who was an outstanding Muay Thai exponent prior to becoming a pro boxer won the vacant title with a 6th round knockout over South Korea’s No. 2 ranked In Suk Song at the Citizen Hall in Osan City last June 19. Pleonchit was also the former WBC Asian Boxing Council super bantamweight champion.

For years Bautista hid the fact that he had an injury in his left wrist which hurt every-time he threw a jab or a hook .It was only after the Ruiz fight that doctors discovered a rotten bone in his left hand which had to be removed and replaced by a piece of bone from his hip.

The hand has not yet healed completely but Boom Boom is working out to get in shape and to lose some of the excess weight he had naturally put on.

Tony Aldeguer said Bautista may start training but if the pain returns then the doctors will take another look at his hand.

Boom Boom, a terrific young fighter is slowly working out on the punch mitts and the heavy bag and will probably begin light sparring within a couple of weeks.

Its also been decided that Bautista will move up to fight as a featherweight at 126 pounds.