Nietes foe arrives early to train for Oct. 8 bout

MANILA, Philippines - Leaving nothing to chance, reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) light-flyweight champion Ramon Garcia of Mexico and his entourage arrived in the country two weeks earlier than expected for his 12-round title fight against Filipino Donnie Nietes on Oct. 8 at the University of St. La Salle Stadium in Bacolod City.

Accompanied by manager Edrulfo Castillo, Garcia came over last week and currently stays at the Diamond Suites and Residences as he does the final phase of his training in Cebu City.

The 29-year-old Mexican from La Paz Baja, California Sur isn’t scheduled to arrive in the country until next week, according to Chad Canares, media and public relations officer of ALA Promotions, which is putting up the event dubbed ”Pinoy Pride 9: World Championship” in partnership with giant network ABS-CBN.

“That’s how seriously he’s taking this title fight against Donnie,” said Canares of the Cebu promotional outfit responsible for the Pinoy Pride boxing series.

 Nietes, bidding to win a second world crown, has been in Bacolod since Sept. 16. He is in training with fellow ALA boxer AJ Banal and Arthur Villanueva, who are seeing action in the undercard of the event also presented by L’Fisher Hotel, Palmas Del Mar Bacolod, East View Hotel, SM City Bacolod, Kia Motors, the City Government of Bacolod and the Provincial Government.