Nietes sees KO win vs Mexicans

MANILA, Philippines - Donnie “Ahas” Nietes knows how to handle his next opponent in WBO light-flyweight champion Ramon Garcia Hirales of Mexico.

“I will go for the knockout,” said the Filipino challenger yesterday.

Nietes said he knows things about Hirales and that all he needs to watch out for is the Mexican’s uppercut and wide punches.

“I also know that his brother (former world mininumweight champion Raul) is better than him,” added Nietes during the PSA Forum at Shakey’s UN Ave.

Nietes said he can’t get more particular as to which round the end will come but he sounded every inch confident he’d pull it off before his countrymen.

The fight is scheduled on Oct. 8 at the La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City, less than 20 kms from Nietes’ birthplace of Murcia.

“I just can’t say what round but I will go for the knockout,” said the 29-year-old Nietes, the former WBO minimumweight champion.

Nietes moved up in weight this year after defending the 105 lb title four times, three of them against Mexicans Erik Ramirez, Manuel Vargas and Mario Rodriguez.

Last April, he knocked out Armando Vasquez of Mexico in the first round of their light-flyweight clash in Bacolod City. 

“I’m excited for this (next) fight. I’m determined to take the title away from him,” said Nietes, who graced the forum with his fellow boxers from the ALA Boxing stable.

Chad Canares of ALA Boxing said the Nietes-Hirales fight dubbed Pinoy Pride 9 will be preceded by another Philippines vs Mexico card on Sept. 8 at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.

Nietes will carry a 28-1-3 record (16 KOs) into the fight while Garcia will bring in a ring record of 16-2-1 (9 KOs) and a very good reputation.

Canares said the two big events being presented by ALA Boxing is a testament to the continued surge of boxing in the country.

“The thrust here is to develop more local heroes,” said Canares, who also brought with him fighters Milan Melindo, AJ Banal, Jayson Pagara, Genesis Servania and Arthur Villanueva to the forum.

Melindo will take on Francisco Rosas of Mexico for the WBO Intercontinental flyweight title while Pagara tackles Rosbel Montoya, and Servania faces Gerson Guerrero in the Cebu card.