Nietes eyes KO win in Bacolod

MANILA, Philippines – Reigning WBO junior-flyweight champion Donnie Nietes will go for the knockout when he faces Mexico’s Raul “Raylito” Garcia on May 28 at the La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City

“Patumbahin natin (Let’s knock him down),” said Nietes during a press conference in Quezon City yesterday.

Nietes, who normally keeps his card close to his chest, said he wants an impressive win over his 33-year-old opponent, the ex-WBO and ex-IBF minimumweight champion.

The longest-reigning Filipino world champion faced and beat Garcia’s twin brother, Ramon Garcia, for the WBO flyweight crown in 2011, also at the La Salle Coliseum.

Nietes has a 13-0-1 record against Mexicans, and intends to add Garcia to his list of victims.

“Kapag may pagkakataon patumbahin natin (If there’s a chance let’s knock him down). Gusto ko impressive ang result ng laban,” said Nietes.

It will be his first fight in Bacolod, his home province, in almost five years. He had longed to fight before his provincemates, and on May 28 he will have the chance.

“I’m excited,” said the pride of Murcia in Negros Occidental.

Nietes, 37-1-4 with 21 knockouts, said the entire barangay of Catsilayan in Murcia will come to see his fight, and he wants to entertain them with a good show.

“Para happy sila,” he said.

Garcia, 36-3-1 with 22 knockouts, is expected to arrive in the Philippines very soon.

Nietes will be in Manila until Saturday before he heads back to Cebu for the final phase of his training. He said he will be in Bacolod two weeks before the fight.

His chief trainer, Edmund Villamor, said Nietes has been sparring with bigger boxers. He’s gone 10 rounds in sparring a couple of times and did 12 rounds last Tuesday.

“Training is very good. We expect another good fight from Donnie,” said Villamor, adding that Nietes’ weight is on check – 10 pounds over the 108 limit with three weeks to the fight.

Nietes said sparring with bigger boxers, bamtamweights, will give him the edge in this fight.

“Mas maganda nasasanay ako sa mabigat na suntok (It’s better because I get used to the heavier punches),” said Nietes, who hasn’t lost a fight in almost 12 years.