ALA boxers not looking past foes

CEBU, Philippines - ALA Boxing Gym fighters are not, in any way, looking past their respective foes in the highly-anticipated Pinoy Pride 40:‘Donnie-Nation' on April 29 at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Two-division world champion Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes (39-1, 22KOs) who will face Thai Komgrich Nantapech (22-3, 15KOs) in the main event, expressed his confidence in claiming the vacant IBF flyweight title but at the same time expecting to have his hands full of Nantapech.

Nietes, the longest reigning Filipino world champion, seeks to win his third world title in different weight classes.

“I know this guy (Nantapech) is no pushover and he will come here to fight,” said Nietes in a press conference yesterday at the Del Sol room of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

“I am facing a very important fight because my legacy is at stake and I have to make sure to win impressively to introduce myself in the (light flyweight) division,” said Nietes who reiterated that his goal is to unify all the world titles in the 112 lbs. division.

Edmund Villamor, Niete’s trainer, has all the reasons to be alarmed as the Thai warrior is on 15-fight winning streak capped with a sixth round knockout of Filipino Jenny Boy Boca.

“Nantapech has a killer right hook that Donnie should avoid. He is a brawler and I know he will look for an upset win against Donnie,” said Villamor.

In the supporting bout, Mark 'Magnifico' Magsayo (15-0, 11KOs) will also have to hurdle a tough obstacle in the battle-tested Issa ‘Peche Boy’ Nampepeche (24-7, 11KOs) of Tanzania.

“He is a very good defensive boxer and I am training hard for him. I want to make a statement in this fight before thinking of a world title shot,” said the pride of Tagbilaran City.

Nietes and Magsayo will be joined by their stable mate Jeo ‘Santino’ Santisima (12-2, 11KOs) who also faces a daunting task as he battles Indonesian Master Suro (11-8, 2KOs). (FREEMAN)