Pinoy Pride XXV Nietes out to settle score

CEBU, Philippines - Two-division world champion Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes (32-1-1, 18KOs) seeks a definitive end to his rivalry against Mexican 'Moi' Moises Fuentes (19-1-1, 19KOs) as he defends his WBO light flyweight title in Pinoy Pride XXV dubbed as "The Rematch for Glory" on May 10 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

Nietes and Fuentes first fought in an epic 12-round slugfest that resulted in a majority draw on March 13 last year at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

But the 31-year-old Nietes vowed to resolve the issue of who the better warrior is between him and Fuentes.

“I will put period on this fight. I learned a lot from our first fight and expect for a better performance coming from me,” said Nietes in a press conference yesterday at the Cebu Rajah Park Hotel.

“I may fight him (Fuentes) again in another weight division in the future but for this time, I can assure that this will be the end.”

Aside from defending his title, Nietes is also on a course of surpassing the record of Pinoy boxing legend Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde as the longest reigning world champion in history.

“I am happy and honored but I will not make it as a reason to be pressured. I trust my skills and hopefully I can deliver a convincing win,” he added.

Nietes scored a sensational third round stoppage of former Mexican world champion Sammy Gutierrez in his previous ring assignment on November 30 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Fuentes, on the other hand, is on a three-fight winning streak capped off by a seventh round TKO against his compatriot Omar Salado in Mexico City.

For his part, ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer said that the Nietes-Fuentes rematch will be considered as the biggest Pinoy Pride event they have made.

To spice up the Nietes-Fuentes 2, Aldeguer is pitting another two ALA Boxing Gym stars in one-time world title challenger Milan ‘El Metodico’ Melindo (30-1, 12KOs) and the comebacking Rey ‘Boom-Boom’ Bautista (34-3, 25KOs) against respective Mexican foes.

Melindo will go up against Martin ‘Diablo’ Tecuapetla (11-5, 8KOs), while Bautista will be tested by Sergio ‘El Cuate’ Villanueva (26-3, 13KOs). (FREEMAN)