Los Angeles ? Mexican Juan Alejo is not promising a knockout Saturday night against Filipino champion Donnie Nietes but the challenger made one thing clear ? he?s ready to go 12 rounds.
?I am ready and prepared to go 12 hard rounds,? said Alejo through a translator after a light training session Wednesday at the Fortune Gym on Sunset Blvd.
Alejo attempts to put an end to Nietes? reign as World Boxing Organization light-flyweight titleholder when they face off in a scheduled 12-rounder at the 8,000-seat tennis stadium of the StubHub Center in nearby Carson.
?You don?t look for a knockout because it will come if the opportunity presents itself,? said Alejo, the huge underdog in his crack at Nietes? coveted 108-lb crown.
Alejo was in high spirits and didn?t look as if the world title shot is affecting his focus and determination.
Whether he was trying to hide something, like stage fright or even fear of Nietes, Alejo didn?t show any signs during his less than an hour workout.
Alejo gladly posed for pictures and was very accommodating with a TV interview, calling out fellow Mexicans to rally behind him against Nietes, who is also risking his status as The Ring magazine champion.
As Alejo was holding an open workout, Nietes was also doing almost the same thing under the watchful eyes of his training team, led by brothers Edito and Edmond Villamor.
But Nietes didn?t show up at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood and instead opted to work behind closed doors.
Nothing heavy was done and the Vilamor brothers just supervised his light exercises that consisted of crunches, skipping rope and shadowboxing and a bit of pep talk.
?All bases covered,? said Edito, a two-time world title challenger back in the 1990s.
