Pasig City ? Defending WBO light flyweight champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes of the ALA Gym and challenger Felipe Salguero of Mexico City both stepped in at the division limit of 108 lbs during the official weigh-in held Friday noon at Robinson?s Galleria. Nietes will be defending his title for the first time. Last October 8, 2011, Nietes (29W-1L-3D, 16 KO?s) dethroned Mexican Ramon Garcia Hirales by unanimous decision in Bacolod City.
Salguero (16W-2L-1D, 11 KO?s) saw Nietes in action in Guasave last August 14, 2010 when Nietes successfully defended his WBO
minimumweight title against Mario Rodriguez by unanimous decision. In that same card, Salguero beat Osvaldo Ibarra by unanimous decision.
?I am familiar with Nietes? style. I know how to beat him.? Salguero told philboxing after the weigh-in.
Nietes? stable mate, Milan ?Metodico? Melindo weighed in at 111 lbs but Jesus Geles of Colombia weighed 115 lbs. They were supposed to fight for the WBO International flyweight title. Geles, a former interim WBO lt.flyweight champion, opted not to shed more weight. If Melindo wins, he gets the title but it will be vacant if Geles wins.
Geles towers over Melindo and will be the bigger man on fight night. But Geles (13W-2L-1D, 5 KO?s) just arrived in Manila today and will have to overcome jet lag. More important than the belt, Melindo (26W-0L, 10 KO?s) will be risking his unbeaten record and lofty world ranking.
Genesis ?Azukal? Servania (17W-0L, 5 KO?s) of the ALA Gym stepped in at 121 lbs while Genaro ?El Poblanito Original? Garcia (38W-8L, 22 KO?s) weighed in at 122 lbs for their battle for the WBC International Silver superbantamweight title. Servania is another unbeaten prospect who will be tested by a former world title challenger.
Arthur ?El Matador? Villanueva (114 lbs) will trade punches with tough guy and former WBO Oriental flyweight titlist Jeffrey Cerna (114 lbs).
Also penned to see action are Ralph Lulu (122 lbs) vs Boyce Sultan (122 lbs) ? 8 rounds, Arjan Canillas (125 lbs) vs Warren Magbuanag (124 lbs) ? 6 rounds, Juren Labordo (111 lbs) vs Fel Morales (112 lbs) and 122 pounders Takaoki Noma of Japan and Eljohn Evangelista will open the event in a four rounder.
Fight time on Saturday is at 6PM at the Newport Performing Arts
Theatre, Resorts World in Manila.
Nietes and Salguero pose during the Friday's weighin.
Melindo (L) and Geles.
Servania (L) and Genaro Garcia.
The officials.
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