Philippines, 17 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PINOY PRIDE 25: NIETES AND FUENTES TRADE BARBS


PhilBoxing.com




MANILA - Familiarity breeds contempt.

WBO light flyweight champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes and challenger Moises Fuentes of Mexico had their last round of saber-rattling two days before their much awaited rematch. The protagonists shared their thoughts to the members of the sports media attending the final press conference held Thursday noon at the Bayview Park Hotel.

?He was running that?s why it was a draw,? Fuentes did not hide his disdain when asked if he felt that he let victory slip away when they met in Cebu last March 2, 2013. The verdict was a majority draw after twelve hard fought rounds.

?That is not how a champion behaves,? Fuentes emphatically stated. ?He fought like a child.?

The scorecards of the three judges had Nietes winning in the last two rounds to earn the draw.

?If I got a draw by running, then I will definitely beat him this time if I don?t run,? Nietes countered.

?I underestimated my opponent the first time,? Fuentes elaborated, ?I did not train hard enough. I have the hunger to become champion,? The 28 year old Fuentes? dedication during training was also emphasized by trainer Armando Rivera, manager Jorge Rivera and boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera.

The 31 year old Nietes (32-1-4, 18 KOs) initially stated that he is prepared to go twelve rounds but will go for a knockout if the opportunity presents itself. But further goading from the sportswriters made the champion change his prediction.

?This fight will end in a knockout. I will go for a knockout,? Nietes stated. ?I will not let him take the title. We will have to kill each other.?

Fuentes (19-1-1, 10 KOs) is a former WBO champion at minimumweight and also holds the interim light flyweight title.


Nietes and Fuentes (C) pose with WBO Vice-President Leon Panoncillo Jr (L), Asia Brewery executive Michael Ngo (2nd from left) and ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer (R).


L-R: Milan Melindo, Rey 'Boom-Boom' Bautista, Donnie Nietes, Moises Fuentes, Martin Tecuapetla and Sergio Villanueva.




Marco Antonio Barrera (L) and Moises Fuentes.

Photos by Dong Secuya.

There will be two more Philippines vs Mexico matches, WBO International flyweight titlist Milan ?Metodico? Melindo (30-1,12KO's) will square off with Martin ?Diablo? Tecuapetla (18-5-2,8KO's). ?Preparing for this fight is another step to fight again for a world championship,? Melindo asserted that ?My boxing skill is at the same level as Floyd Mayweather. Very few people have noticed this. I will win all the belts, someday you will see.?

The returning Rey ?BoomBoom? Bautista (30-3,25KO's) will face Sergio ?El Cuate? Villanueva (26-3,13KO's), a former WBC Youth world featherweight titlist.

?I am ready to entertain the fans,? Bautista said.

?I will win, I am ready,? Villanueva answered, ?Bautista is strong but he has defects.?

There is a lot riding on Nietes this Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena. Only Nietes and Manny Pacquiao are the two remaining Filipino world champions.

Nietes? stablemate, Merlito Sabillo lost his WBO minimumweight crown in Mexico and Johnriel Casimero lost his IBF jr.flyweight title at the scales last week in Cebu. There is another Filipino with a world title at 108 lbs, Rey Loreto, who has the IBO belt but his name still escapes most Pinoy sports fans.

?No pressure,? Nietes emphasized.

Promoter Michael Aldeguer said that ALA Promotions has survived the losses of crowd drawers like AJ Banal and Bautista. ?We will just roll with the punches,? Aldeguer said. ?This is a long term program to promote Philippine boxing. We do not depend on just one event.?

The weigh-in will be held Friday also at the MOA in Pasay City. Also present at the press conference were WBO Asia-Pacific chief Leon Panoncillo, GAB Chairman Ramon Guanzon, the referee for this world title bout Robert Byrd of the U.S and judge Robert Hoyle.

Byrd was also the referee when Nietes dethroned Mexican Ramon Garcia Hirales last October 8, 2011 in Bacolod City for the WBO 108 lb division title.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Jayson Mama Set to Challenge for IBO World Super Flyweight Title in Johannesburg
    , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • Fisher vs Allen 2: Can Johnny Make Necessary Improvements?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • Weights from Panamá City
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • CRUZ LANDS IBF ELIMINATOR AGAINST MISHIRO IN NEW YORK
    , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • Fisher and Allen Hit the Scales Ahead of Highly Anticipated Heavyweight Rematch
    , Sat, 17 May 2025
  • Boxing: Sport Entertainment or Entertainment Sport (Part Two)
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 16 May 2025
  • NYC PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES: BERLANGA VS. SHEERAZ / SHAKUR STEVENSON VS. WILLIAM ZEPEDA
    , Fri, 16 May 2025
  • HALL OF FAME TRAINER FREDDIE ROACH TO BE HONORED BY THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES IN PUBLIC CEREMONY AT FREDDIE'S GYM!
    , Fri, 16 May 2025
  • HALL OF FAME BROADCASTER JIM LAMPLEY TO PARTICIPATE IN 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Fri, 16 May 2025
  • Minnesota, Indiana Back Again in the Eastern and Western Conference Finals
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • In Jonathan’s memory
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • WATCH: HITCHINS AND KAMBOSOS JR IN INTENSE FACE-OFF WITH ONE MONTH UNTIL NYC SHOWDOWN
    , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Toledo-Xignex Trojans finally win the PCAP online team chess tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Former WBA Super Bantamweight Champion Nazarena Romero to Exercise Immediate Rematch Clause Against Mayelli Flores Rosquero
    , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Pacquiao's Controversial WBC Ranking Explained: "Legend" Status Cited Amid July Return
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • No-contest ruling awaited
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • FISHER VS. ALLEN 2 + UNDERCARD FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Tyler Langer Defeats Raphael Carolina By Unanimous Decision in Headline Bout of Jeter Promotions Card at Rosecroft Raceway in Fort Washington, Maryland
    , Thu, 15 May 2025
  • Canelo vs. Crawford Bout Faces Date and Venue Shift
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 14 May 2025
  • BROADCAST TEAM ANNOUNCED FOR “CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: A NIGHT OF BOXING” ON THURSDAY, MAY 22
    , Wed, 14 May 2025
  • UNBEATEN AMATEUR WORLD CHAMPION TIAH-MAI AYTON SIGNS PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
    , Wed, 14 May 2025
  • Arum Targets Manila Rematch: Navarrete vs. Suarez 2 Eyed for Thrilla in Manila Anniversary
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 14 May 2025
  • Ron Johnson’s American Dream Presents & Nothing But Sportz Announce “The Caribbean Clash” Boxing Event at Miami’s James L. Knight Center on Saturday, August 9
    , Wed, 14 May 2025
  • Francis Chua is Fighting for Family in Comeback fight as he eyes Future fight with Harry Garside
    , Tue, 13 May 2025
  • Pacquiao Falls Short in Senate Bid, Eyes WBC Title in Stunning Boxing Comeback
    By Dong Secuya, , Tue, 13 May 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.