By Rey Danesco

WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion Rey ‘Boom-Boom’ Bautista and Philippine junior lightweight king Bobby Pacquiao engaged in a torrid two-round sparring session in Cebu City recently in preparation for their separate bouts.

But at the end of the session before the watchful eyes of trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor, the teenage sensation Bautista has earned the respect of the 15-pound heavier Pacquiao.

“Bautista is in top-shape. He has a good jab and throws a lot of combination. He is ready,” Bautista’s manager Antonio Aldeguer quoted Pacquiao as saying after the sparring session took place at the ALA Gym.

The undefeated Bautista, who is ranked 3rd bantam in the world by the WBO, is preparing for his non-title bout against Mexican punching machine Gilberto Bolanos on June 11 at the airconditioned Mandaue Sports Complex in Mandaue City, Cebu.

Bolanos is set to arrive with his trainer, Rogelio Baldenegro on June 7 from Mexico City on a direct flight to Cebu via Hong Kong.

On the other hand, Pacquiao will takes on first of two latest conquerors of former two-time world champ Luisito Espinosa in the main event of ESPN Friday Night Fights on June 17 from Table Mountain Casino in Friant, California.

The younger brother of Manny Pacquiao faces Carlos Navarro for the first title defense of the American’s WBC Continental America super-feather title that he captured via 11th round stoppage of ex-WBO feather boss Agapito Sanchez last Dec. 11 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The 5-foot-8 American southpaw, now ranked 13th under WBC super-feather king Marco Antonio Barrera, was able to enter in the WBC world ranking after punishing Espinosa on July 9, 2004 to win the vacant WBC Mundo Hispano Super Featherweight crown in Reno, Nevada.

It will be Pacquiao's second appearance in the United States after his impressive unanimous decision 8-round win over Mexican Oscar Villa on Nov. 11, 2004 in Montebello, California.