The explosive card, to be broadcast on Solar Sports as part of its "Stars of the Future" boxing series, was formally announced by international promoter Sammy Gello-ani in a news conference yesterday noon at SUGBAHAN Food Corner along A.S. Fortuna Street in Mandaue City.
"Everything is already final. Donnie Nietes will fight against Indonesian Heri Amol for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific minimumweight title on November 24 in Mandaue," said Gello-ani.
Also gracing the affair were the lovely Chan couple Jonathan and Abigail, who owns SUGBAHAN - a native restaurant specializing in authentic Filipino dishes such as balbacua, kare-kare, and pochero among others.
Nietes, who will vie for a major title for the first time in his career, sports a record of 18-1-3(10KOs), while Amol carries a decent 14-3-2 ledger with 4KOs as released by the Indonesian Professional Boxing Commission (IPBF). Boxrec.com listed Amol's record at 19-4-2(6KOs).
When asked in slight jest by sportswriters if he's not afraid of Amol who once slayed a boxer named Amay Cobra during the early stage of his career, Nietes replied: "No, I'm not."
"Cobra is smaller than my pet," added Nietes, pointing to the fearsome Python that draped his body. "I'm very confident I'm going to beat him up, hopefully by knockout."
Nietes and Amol have one thing in common - they both fought against former Indonesian 105 lbs. champion Martin Polii.
Nietes scored a seventh round stoppage of Polii two years ago at the RCTI Studio in Jakarta. In stark contrast, Amol lost by eight-round unanimous decision to the same opponent in his previous bout last May 26 at the Senayan Indoor Tennis Stadium.
Amol once held the Indonesian minimumweight crown with a 12th round KO of Bayu Anggoro on November 18, 2004. His reign was good for only six months as he was dethroned by Rino Ukru via unanimous verdict in June 2005.
In the undercards of the SGG Sports Promotion-bankrolled slugfest, two of the youthful ALA ring stars in Milan "CDO Bonito" Milendo (7-0, 2KOs) and Along "Boholano Bulldog" Denoy (11-6, 5KOs) will strut their wares against separate foes in a pair of 10-rounder matches.
Milendo, who awed the crowd with his masterful third round knockout of Ricardo Albia last October 21 in Mandaue, takes on Rommel Bongon of Tisajo Stable of Manila, while Denoy goes up against Aljun Salogaol of Cebu's Jaca Stable.
A special attraction pits ALA's newest kid on the block Joseph Omanz against Rey Las Piñas of Butuan City.
The rest of the bouts feature Leon Maratas vs. Lotlot Gaviola, Jessie Albaracin vs. Edmund Velayo, Nic Banal vs. Brix "Bomb" Ray, Weng Haya vs. Alfredo Balabat, and Franklin Albia vs. Romano Gelig.