Alejo out to dethrone Nietes

CARSON, California – Donnie Nietes shied away from the media Wednesday, skipping his workout at the Wild Card Gym and opting to stay close to his living quarters in Los Angeles.

On the other hand, his opponent from Mexico, Juan “Pinky” Alejo, welcomed members of the press at the Fortune Gym along the famous Sunset Blvd. for an open workout.

Alejo, here to challenge Nietes for the WBO light-flyweight crown, used an interpreter to field and answer questions from the media at the brick-walled sweat shop.

The little-known boxer from Nuevo Leon said he’s excited for Saturday evening’s main bout of Pinoy Pride 33 “Philippine vs the World” at the StubHub Center.

“I’m ready. I’m excited,” said Alejo, who is 21-3 with 13 knockouts. On this humid afternoon, he shadow-boxed and skipped ropes before mediamen.

Nietes (36-1-4 with 21 knockouts) has been world champion for almost eight years now and has not tasted defeat in 21 fights.

Alejo is using this as a motivation.

“I know Nietes is a great champion but it will be nice to take the title away from him,” said Alejo, adding that victory in any form will make him real happy.

“If the knockout comes then it comes. If not, then I’m ready to go 12 rounds,” he said.

Nietes, according to his trainer, Edito Villamor, chose to break sweat just around the block, somewhere in LA where he’s joined by the other ALA boxers.

“Nagpapawis na lang. abdominal exercise, skipping at training,” said Villamor, who will be joined in the corner by his older brother, Edmund.

“We’re all ready,” the Filipino trainer assured ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer of Cebu.

Also here making their debut fights on US soil are the Pagara brothers, Albert and Jason, and Mark Magsayo.

Their opponents from Nicaragua (William Gonzales and Santos Benavides) and Mexico (Yardley Suarez) were also at the Fortune Gym.

On Thursday, they all meet face to face during the final press conference at the Community Hall of the Carson Civic Center where an eight-foot statue of Dr. Jose Rizal stands.

On Friday, the official weigh-in takes place at 2 p.m. at the Adult Lounge of the Carson Civic Center.