Donnie Nietes has logged a total 70 rounds so far as he revs up for the eight defense of his World Boxing Organization light-flyweight crown against Mexican Juan Alejo on Oct. 17 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.
Holed up in Cebu the last couple of months, Nietes is getting antsy to fly to Los Angeles not merely for a change in scenery but for a worthy sparmate.
When he gets to the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, Nietes will get the chance to bang bodies with Fil-Am Brian Viloria, who is also in the thick of training for a crossroads fight also set Oct. 17.
Viloria?s fight, however, will take place 2,500 miles away in New York and it?ll be against a tougher foe in Nicaraguan Roman Gonzalez, the acknowledged pound-for-pound king, following the retirement of Floyd Mayweather.
?The timetable is perfect for the two of us because we will be fighting on the same night,? said the 33-year-old Nietes, who has a 36-1-4 win-loss-draw slate with 21 KOs.
?Excited na nga ako maka-spar si Brian,? added Nietes, one of boxing?s longest reigning titleholders.
Nietes is scheduled to leave for the US next week when he gets his US (working) visa following today?s interview at the embassy.
Meanwhile, a press conference for the Nietes-Alejo main event dubbed Pinoy Pride 33: Philippines vs The World on Friday (Saturday in Manila) at Max?s in Glendale, California.
Nietes won?t be there, obviously, but the other attractions ? the fighting Pagara brothers Jason and Prince Albert and Mark Magsayo ? will be in attendance alongside promoter Michael Aldeguer.
Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/nietes-looking-for-worthy-sparmate/#5VuE3pVifdg7PsX1.99
