NIETES LEAVES TODAY FOR LOS ANGELES

CEBU ? The Philippines longest reigning world champion Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes, who finally got his US P1 visa Tuesday, will leave today, Thursday, for Los Angeles ahead of his WBO title defense against Mexican Juan 'Pinky' Alejo at the StubHub Center in Carson, California on Oct. 17. He will be accompanied by trainer Edmund Villamor as the duo will join fellow ALA boxers Jason and Albert Pagara, Mark Magsayo as well as trainer Edito Villamor who have been holed at Freddie Roach's Wildcard Gym the last three weeks. Nietes, the Pagara brothers and Magsayo will see action in ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN's maiden US card dubbed as 'Philippines vs The World' on the 33rd installment of the highly successful 'Pinoy Pride' boxing series.

?Finally we're leaving,? Villamor told Philboxing Wednesday. ?Donnie has logged 80 rounds of sparring so far and we expect to go another 20 rounds in Los Angeles,? added Villamor who expect for Donnie to spar in the next few days with Brian Viloria who is also preparing for this blockbuster fight with newly minted No. 1 pound for pound fighter in the world Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua, a fight also scheduled on Oct. 17 at the Madison Square Garden in New York.

Villamor expects a tactical fight between Nietes (36-1-4, 21KO) and his Mexican challenger as the No. 8 ranked Alejo (21-3-0, 13KO) is also a noted counter puncher like Nietes.

?I'm excited and I'm ready,? Nietes, for his part, said, sounding highly confident for his first fight in the United States. Nietes also said that the delay of his departure to the US will not affect his preparation. ?It's a blessing in disguise because the training here is more focused and I have plenty of sparring partners,? Nietes said.