NIETES IS IN BETTER SHAPE THAN WHEN HE KNOCKED OUT MOISES FUENTES

WBO light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes is in superb condition for his voluntary title defense against Mexico?s Carlos Velarde at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu on November 15.

Strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson told the Manila Standard/Viva Sports that Nietes was ?much better than his last fight? when he dropped mandatory challenger Moises Fuentes three times in the 9th round and knocked him out.

Curson attributed Nietes? better condition to the fact that they ?had a longer time to train? for the Velarde fight compared to the few weeks they worked together for the Fuentes bout.

However, Curson who said Nietes ?has serious power and hits like a 120 pounder? cautioned against overconfidence, underscoring the fact that Mexicans, like Velarde, are tough ring warriors.

Nietes is expected to move up to flyweight after his showdown with Velarde and headline a ?Pinoy Pride? fight card in Dubai sometime in March.

Among the names being floated as possible opponents are reigning WBO champion Juan Francisco Estrada who won the WBO and WBA belts in a split decision win over Filipino Brian Viloria in Macau and retained the title with a twelve round unanimous decision over Milan Melindo.

Melindo has gone down to light flyweight for his clash with Mexico?s Saul Juarez on the Nietes-Velarde fight card.

Curson is excited about how Melindo is coming along. He told the Standard, ?Melindo has so much power I can?t wait to unleash him for this fight.?

Photo: Nietes (R) tags Fuentes with a right during their rematch last May.