Philippines, 11 Apr 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PINOY PRIDE IX: DONNIE NIETES VIES FOR ANOTHER WORLD TITLE AGAINST RAMON GARCIA HIRALES ON OCT. 8


PhilBoxing.com




CEBU CITY -- Former WBO minimumweight champion Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes of the ALA Gym will try to capture another world title in another weight class against defending champion Ramon Garcia Hirales of Mexico at Nietes's hometown in Bacolod City on October 8 for 'PINOY PRIDE IX', this was formally announced during the press conference held Thursday night at Harolds Hotel here.

The 29-year-old Nietes (28-1-3, 16KO), who won the WBO minimumweight title in 2007 and successfully defended it four times, has given up his 108-lb belt this year to campaign in flyweight division. Nietes's fight in Bacolod marks the first time since 2007 that the snake charmer will fight for a world title in his home country after successfully defending his title inside Mexico three times in the last three years.

Ramon Garcia Hirales (16-2-1 9KO) won the WBO flyweight title on April 30, 2011 against Jesus Geles of Columbia via 4th round knockout. This will be Hirales's first defense of the title. Hirales previously fought Filipino Johnriel Casimero for the WBO interim flyweight title last year where Hirales won by split decision.

"I can beat him (Hirales)," a confident Nietes told the Cebu media who added that his experience will be the difference.

Nietes, who leaves for Bacolod today where he will continue his training, said that he has already sparred more than a hundred rounds in preparation for this fight. 'Ahas' also informed that he will again carry a new snake into the ring after his old pet snake died of old age.

Meanwhile Team Garcia-Hirales will arrive in Manila on Sep. 21 to have a three-week stay in the Philippines so that Hirales will fully acclimatize himself and be fully prepared for the fight.

Also fighting in the undercard of 'PINOY PRIDE IX' is AJ 'Bazooka' Banal (25-1-1 19KO) who will go up against undefeated Mexican Mario Briones (20-0-1 14KO) for the WBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight Championship. Banal hopes to have an impressive performance against Briones in order to make the long-awaited rematch against Rafael Concepcion of Panama who was the only boxer to put a blemish on his record.

Rising Bacolod native Arthur Villanueva (17-0-0 12KO) also fights on the card against Shaaban Madilu of Kenya while another Bacolod native Merlito Sabillo will go up against Terajes Singwancha of Baguio City for the OPBF minimumweight title.

The rest of the card features Prince Albert Pagara vs Richard Donaire; Jun Intor vs Gilbert Garciano; JP Artieda vs Kazuya Harada and Reymund Tabogon vs Lito Dante.


L-R: Merlito Sabillo, AJ Banal, Donnie Nietes and Arthur Villanueva pose during Thursday's presscon announcing their fights on Oct. 8 at the St. La Salle Gym in Bacolod City for 'PINOY PRIDE IX'.

Photos by Dong Secuya.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Hebert Conceicao Sousa Wins Perilous Unanimous Decision over Johan Gonzalez in Main Event of ProBoxTV from Prudential Center  in Brick City
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • ARGENTINE KO KING CHAVES FACES MADUENO IN LAS VEGAS
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Team USA Clinches Eight Medals At 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Weights From ‘Mielnicki vs. Huerta’ Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Boquiren to face Olmillo in RFL on April 18
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • USA Opens Strong at 2026 Gee Bee Tournament In Helsinki
    , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Filipino chess prodigy Nika Juris Nicolas eyes Woman International Master title
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 11 Apr 2026
  • Blazen Rocili "The Filipino Giant" Dominates in Statement Victory at "Rumble in the UNE," Improves to 10-0
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Oppas to face Lu on April 11 in Australia
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Ilar, Infiesto to play in Guevarra Chess Cup
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Pabular to face Kitano on April 13 at Korakuen Hall
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Five reasons why IBA NOMAD 14 in Almaty is worth watching
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Antonio bounces back in Sydney International Open Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Los Angeles Prospect Jahvad McDermott
    , Fri, 10 Apr 2026
  • Staying active is Magsayo’s priority
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Abu Bakar ready to rumble against Singh on April 11
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Atty. Aldwin Alegre is set to compete in the 23rd Bangkok Chess Club Open 2026 to be held at the Luxurious Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, Thailand from April 11-19, 2026.
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • WEIGH IN RESULTS IGLESIAS VS SILYAGIN - TOMORROW NIGHT IN MONTREAL!
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Kristian Prenga Headlines “Crossroads in Brick City” on June 6 in Newark
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Macala, Silva, Lopez to play in 14th Atty. Jong Guevarra Cup
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Former World Champion Miguel Berchelt Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in  Las Vegas
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Sem Japet Enano Stuns Hometown Favorite Tyrell Adams to Claim IBO Oceania Featherweight Title
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • IBF lightweight eliminator tops IBA.PRO 17 card in Ufa
    , Thu, 09 Apr 2026
  • Biasong fights Bustrillo on April 18 in Bukidnon
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026
  • Olmillo fights Boquiren on April 18 in RFL
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.