MEXICAN challenger and two-time world champion Raul ?Rayito? Garcia (36-3-1 with 22 KOs) will try to knockout defending champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes (37-1-4 with 21 KOs) on Saturday.
They will vie for the WBO Junior Flyweight championship belt in the Pinoy Pride 36: A Legend in the Making before the crowd at St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City.
Garcia, 33, told the local press in Tuesday’s media conference that he has prepared well for months.
?I?m looking at a knockout in the first five rounds against Nietes. If it won?t happen, I?m ready to go as far as 12 rounds,? he said.
The Mexican fighter added that the fight is a vengeance for his brother?s loss to Nietes five years ago also here in Bacolod. His statement makes the match interesting as Nietes? camp may distort his (Garcia?s) plan and might end the bout earlier.
?All I want is to bring the championship title back to Mexico. That?s the reason I?m here ? to take it back,? Garcia said.
Talking on his advantage over Nietes, the Mexican fighter admitted that the champion is strong, fast, and moves excellently around the ring.
?But, if he (Nietes) fights like a man and won?t run around, I will knock him out,? Garcia said.
?I have fought and won against three great Filipino fighters, former world champion Florante Condes Jr., Rommel Asenjo, and Michael Landero. This fight will be tough,? he added.
To be featured in the main undercard are reigning WBC International Superflyweight champion ?King? Arthur Villanueva of Bago City against Mexican Juan ?El Pe?ita? Jimenez for the WBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight championship.
Milan ?Milenyo? Melindo of Cagayan de Oro City and Maximino Flores of Mexico will mix it up for the 10-round 113 lbs. clash while Kevin Jake ?KJ? Cataraja of Cebu City and Chatchai Or Benjamas of Thailand will square off in the 112 lbs-8 round duel.
The event is supervised by the Games and Amusement Board headed by Chairman Juan Ramon Guanzon.
