Nietes arrives in Los Angeles, ready for title defense

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning WBO junior-flyweight Donnie Nietes arrived in Los Angeles yesterday and flashed the thumbs-up sign as he wheeled his purple luggage out of the Tom Bradley International Airport.

Nietes arrived in LA accompanied by his trainer, Edmund Villamor, just over two weeks before his title defense against Mexican Juan Alejo in Carson City on Oct. 17.

The “Philippines vs the World” card, the first for ALA Promotions in the United States, will take place at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California.

It also features the Pagara brothers, Albert and Jason, and Mark Magsayo. For the four ALA fighters, it’s their first fight in the US.

Nietes was all smiles as he stepped out of the airport tunnel, in his favorite colors, the red-and-black ALA track suit and his favorite purple for his luggage.

The boxer who hasn’t tasted defeat in 11 years called on Filipino fight fans to support the card at StubHub.

They were met at the airport by US-based Pinoy dentist Ed dela Vega, who dabbles as cutman and provides customized mouthguards for Pinoy boxers – for free.

Dela Vega has a purple one for Nietes. Days ago, he came over the Wild Card Gym to present mouthguards for the Pagara brothers and Magsayo.

Dela Vega posted a short video clip of Nietes’ arrival in LA,

Nietes has fought thrice in Mexico, winning all fights. While he has not staged a fight in the US, it’s not really new to him.

“He used to train here for his fights in Mexico,” the other ALA trainer, Edito Villamor, told The STAR on the phone from LA yesterday.

For his 2013 rematch against Moises Fuentes, the 33-year-old Nietes also trained in the US.

“That’s why two weeks is just enough for him to wrap up his training here. All he has to adjust to are the sleeping hours. Other than that he’s fine,” said Villamor.

On Saturday, Nietes will join the rest of the ALA team in a media day at the Fortune Gym along the famout Sunset Boulevard, and a couple of meet-and-greet sessions with the fans.