In recent years, some of the most exciting and talented fighters have hailed from the Philippines.  In 2006, Golden Boy Promotions will bring some of that talent to the United States, as the Los Angeles-based promotional company is pleased to announce an alliance with international matchmaker Sampson Lewkowicz, SGG Promotions, and ALA Boxing Management that will bring the best of Filipino boxing to American arenas and living rooms.

The first two signees from this alliance are unbeaten and top world ranked bantamweight Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista (19-0, 14 KOs) and super bantamweight Z “The Dream” Gorres (22-1-1, 12 KOs).

“The hottest talent pool in the boxing world right now is in The Philippines,” said Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya, “so to bring exciting young fighters like Bautista and Gorres to the States to train and fight is an important step in the development of our company because we want to continue to bring the best fighters in the world to fight fans, and this is just another avenue of doing so.”

Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista may only be 19 years old, but the native of Candijay has already established himself as one of the most dangerous 118-pounders in boxing.  The WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion, Bautista has shown an ability to not only take out his opponents with either hand, but to also box effectively over the 12 round championship distance, something he did impressively when he decisioned Vuyisile Bebe last year.  In his last bout, on December 23, 2005, Bautista fought for the third time in the United States, decisioning tough veteran Gerardo Espinoza over eight rounds.

Another young gun at just 23 years old, Z “The Dream” Gorres is the younger brother of former junior welterweight contender Jun Gorres, but he has done more than enough to carve out his own identity in the fight game.  A native from Cebu Province, Gorres made his debut in 2001 with a win over Rudy Hibaya and he hasn’t looked back since.  Holder of an impressive first round stoppage win over fellow Philippine prospect Glenn Donaire in his US debut last March, Gorres returned to the States in his last fight, nearly shutting out Jose Tirado in February.

Both Bautista and Gorres are expected back in the US rings this spring.

For more information on Golden Boy Promotions, please visit our website at www.goldenboypromotions.com