Nietes stakes WBO title before hometown fans

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines —  After all the talking, ALA Boxing Gym star Donnie “Ahas” Nietes (37-1-4, 21KOs) will now let his fists take care of business as he defends his WBO light flyweight belt against Mexican challenger Raul “Rayito” Garcia (36-3-1, 22KOs) in the main showcase of the “Pinoy Pride 36:A Legend in the Making" fightcard tonight at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum here.

Raul is the twin brother of Ramon Hirales Garcia, whom Nietes beat by decision to claim his second world title in different weight class five years ago at the very same arena.

Even though he foresees no problem knowing that Raul wields the same style as Ramon, the 33-year-old Nietes said he will lay down a different fight plan against 'Rayito', something that his provincemates should watch out for.

 "They (Garcia brothers) have the same fighting style,” said pride of Murcia, Negros Occidental. “But I have a completely different game plan against Raul. I'm fighting before my hometown fans and I want a more impressive win tomorrow (today).”

Nietes and Garcia both tipped in the scales at exactly 108 pounds during the official weigh-in at Robinsons Place Bacolod yesterday, signifying their readiness to rumble in what is touted to be the biggest boxing event ever in Negros Island.

More than his crowning glory and reputation as The Ring and WBO Super Champion, Nietes practically stakes everything against Garcia, a former two-time world titlist.

Aside from extending his reign as the longest Filipino world champ, Nietes is also hard-pressed to come up with a decisive victory so as not to jeopardize a bigger and more lucrative match ahead of him.

This as Nietes is already booked for a mouth-watering showdown with former Mexican world title-holder Moises Fuentes in the second Pinoy Pride event of ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports in the United States on September 24 at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California.

"It's important for Nietes to win this fight. It's something special for him fighting in front of his fans. Also, he's already set for a bout against Fuentes this September in the US so losing shouldn't be an option for him,” said ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael P. Aldeguer.

And Nietes is up for the challenge.

"He (Garcia) said he want to end my long reign as a world champion, but there's no way he can do that. He's not the type of boxer who could derail all my plans. He should better be ready instead because he's in for a big trouble,” said Nietes.

However, Nietes must take his words with circumspect as Garcia promised to give everything he possibly could to kick the Pinoy ring great out of his throne.

"I know I'm the one who will end his long reign as a world champion that's why I'm here,” said Garcia. “I came here not only to compete but also to beat him and bring the title back in Mexico.”

In the main supporting bout, ‘King’ Arthur Villanueva (28-1, 14KOs) will put his WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight strap on the line against Juan “El Penita” Jimenez (22-9, 15KOs) of Mexico.

Meanwhile, the fight between former world title challenger Milan “El Metodico” Melindo (33-2, 12KOs) and eleventh hour sub Maximino “Max” Flores (19-2, 13KOs) will go on as scheduled despite Melindo being overweight by almost five pounds.

Melindo just shook his head with seemingly blank eyes when asked why he bloated up, something that put a big question mark on the future of his career. (FREEMAN)