‘Battle of world champs’: Nietes to defend WBO title vs. Fuentes on March 2 at Waterfront

CEBU, Philippines - Two-division world champion Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes (31-1, 17KOs) hopes to hurdle another tough obstacle in his career path as he defends his WBO light flyweight title against Mexican WBO minimumweight titlist Moises Fuentes (16-1, 8KOs) in the main event of Pinoy Pride XVIII billed as ‘World Champion vs. World Champion’ on March 2 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

“We had a tough negotiation with Zanfer Promotions, the biggest boxing promotion in Mexico and I am glad that we got the chance to stage Donnie’s fight here,” said ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer in a press conference yesterday at the Sarrosa International Hotel and Residential Suites.

“That fight has already been set after the recent WBO convention and I can say that this is something that the Cebuanos should watch out for. He (Fuentes) is not a former champion, he is the reigning champ and this would be the first time that a world champion will come to the Philippines to challenge our fighter.”

Fuentes, the reigning WBO 105-pound king, moved into the 108-pound division to challenge the ALA Boxing Gym star.

The 27-year-old Fuentes gained fame for ending the career of Puerto Rican legend Ivan Calderon via fifth round TKO in October last year in Puerto Rico.

Nietes though expressed confidence of defending his throne he captured with a 12-round unanimous decision win against former Mexican champion Ramon Garcia Hirales two years ago in his hometown Bacolod City.

“I saw his (Fuentes) fight against Calderon and I can say that it was impressive but he must understand that I am not the same fighter as Calderon,” said Nietes. “I never stopped training because I want to score an impressive win for the Filipino fans.”

ALA trainer Edmund Villamor, for his part, said Fuentes is a very intelligent fighter and a tough test for Nietes.

“He would not exchange fists against Donnie. He will try to back down and our goal is to put pressure against him during the fight,” said Villamor.

While the rest of the card is still being finalized,bantamweight prospect Genesis ‘Azukal’ Servania (19-0 , 16KOs) will see action in the supporting main event against a still undetermined Asian opponent.

“Genesis will be facing a fighter from Asia and this will serve as his tune-up fight for a big card in June in which there is a possibility that he will be facing former Mexican champion Fernando Montiel at the SM Mall of Asia Arena,” said Aldeguer. (FREEMAN)