NEGRENSE boxing champions Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and “King” Arthur Villanueva will leave August 20 for another US invasion on September 24 in ALA Promotions’ “Philippines vs Mexico” at the Stub Hub Center in Carson, California.
Nietes, the reigning WBO junior flyweight titlist and longest Filipino champion, will face former world champion Edgar Sosa for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental flyweight title. Sosa is ranked No. 4 in the World Boxing Council also in this division.
The Murcia native said he wants to fight bigger names.
“I’m very lucky to have a manager and promoter who believe in what I can do, and have always supported me. I believe I’m done with the 108 lbs division. There’s no one else for me. I want to go after the other world champions out there. One world championship at a time, but I want to fight more if I can,” he added.
Fighting in the flyweight division, Nietes said that he feels much more comfortable now.
“I’ve started training in a bigger weight. Even when I was fighting for 108 lbs, I was training with bigger fighters. I think this is a much better weight for me. There’s not a lot of adjustment, but there’s more room for improvement. I want to be a better fighter still,” he added.
On Sosa, the Filipino champion described the Mexican as a tough fighter.
“From the beginning, Mexicans have proven they are one of the best there is. He’s a former world champion and has fought some of the best in his division, which is new to me. I will be sure not to let my guard down and pour all what we’ve trained for. I know this won’t be an easy first (flyweight) fight for me,” said Nietes.
Bago City pride Villanueva , meanwhile, will settle his unfinished business with Mexican Juan Jimenez for the WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight belt.
Their last fight in May did not have a clear conclusion after both boxers accidentally clashed heads in the fourth round that sent Jimenez to the canvass.
Referee Dan Nietes thought that it was a clear punch from Villanueva, and gave Jimenez the mandatory count and eventually awarded the victory to “King” Arthur.
Villanueva said he has been in tougher preparation for this rematch.
“I have doubled my training and studied my opponent’s style to assure my victory. I know that he’s also preparing for this fight,” he said. “I want to make sure that I will win it clearly this time.”
Veteran ALA coach Edmund Villamor said the Filipino boxers are ready for this fight.
“They underwent a series of sparring sessions to be well-conditioned for the fight,” he said.
Also seeing action in the supporting card is Mark Magsayo, who will be defending his WBO International featherweight title against an opponent yet to be determined.
