CEBU CITY–Rey ‘Boom Boom’ Bautista proved he still belongs to the elite group after he anihilated Mexican warrior Eden “Anestecista” Marquez in the second round of a scheduled 12-rounder last night at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel to retain his WBO Intercontinental superbantam title.

In the co-feature, WBO minimumweight king Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes also defended his title with a brutal second-round stoppage of Nicaraguan Eddy Castro.

The two fights were the co-main event in last night’s “WBO Night of Champions” card presented by the ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN.

Referee Bruce McTavish stopped the bout at the 1:08 mark of the second round as Marquez looked unable to continue following several assaults by the Bohol-raised fighter.

A clubbing right hand stopped matters for Marquez, as Bautista chased him around the ring knowing that the visiting fighter was on dire straits and ripe for the taking.

Marquez started strong in the opening round, chasing Bautista around and kept himself busy as the reigning champion opted to use his lateral skills to somehow feel how much power Marquez had.

“I wanted to first feel how strong he was in the first round. My corner wanted me to be careful. I knew he had the power, and I didn’t know his style,” Bautista said when asked why he opted to be slow in the opening round.

With the win, Bautista’s record now improves to 26 wins, 1 loss with 18 KO’s, while Marquez dropped to 16-4-3, 12 KO’s. The win also paves the way for Bautista’s possible inclusion in the mega-bout involving Oscar De la Hoya against Manny Pacquiao on December 6.

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