NIETES LEAVES TODAY FOR THE U.S.

Cebu City -- WBO minimumweight champ Donnie Nietes of the ALA Gym will leave tonight via Philippine Airlines to Los Angeles where he will train at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym for two weeks before proceeding to Mexico where he will defend his title against local boy Erik Ramirez at Auditorio Guelaguetza in Oaxaca, Mexico on Feb. 28.

Accompanying Nietes are his trainer Edmund Villamor and comebacking title contender AJ 'Bazooka' Banal, who will also train at the Wildcard Gym. Another ALA trainer, Jeremiah Quijano, who is now in Los Angeles, will also help Nietes during the homestretch of his preparation.

Meanwhile ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer is set to join the group third week of Feb. on the way to Mexico.

Nietes captured the WBO belt against Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym of Thailand on Sep. 30, 2007 and successfully defended in once against Eddy Castro of Nicaragua on Aug. 30, 2008, all at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City.