NEGRENSE pro boxer Donnie Nietes of Murcia, Negros Occidental may yet be the boxer who will enable the Philippines to host the next World Cup of Boxing if he wins the World Boxing Organization (WBO) World Miniflyweight Championship crown on September 30.
He is scheduled to fight Thai Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym for the vacant crown at the Cebu Waterfront hotel and Casino in Cebu City.
Nietes was in town during the weekend with renowned boxing patron Antonio Lopez Aldeguer, who is from Bacolod City, to promote his upcoming fight and met with members of media Sunday at the residence of lone district of Bacolod Rep. Monico O. Puentevella.
Aldeguer said a victory by Nietes will legitimize the country?s bid to host the next World Cup of Boxing since to host the event the Philippines needs to have at least two reigning world titlists in the lineup and Nietes can be the second titlist next to San Carlos City, Negros Occidental native Gerry Pe?alosa.
Also fighting for a world title in the Sept. 30 card is Alex John (AJ) Banal who is slated to fight Mexican Genaro Camargo for the vacant WBO World Youth Superflyweight crown.
The two other supporting bouts are Robert Allanic of the Philippines versus Korean In-Suk Song for the WBO Asia-Pacific Bantamweight Championship (118 lbs.) and the RP Flyweight Championship (112 lbs.) featuring Cebu City?s Rocky Fuentes against Metro Manila?s Danilo Lerio.
Aldeguer confirmed that Nietes?s Thai opponent is undefeated in his 20 previous fights. ?He has knocked out a lot of rated Filipino boxers but I believe Nietes is well-prepared for this fight,? Aldeguer told Bacolod media Sunday.
For his part, Nietes assured that he is ready to take on his Thai opponent. ?I will give it everything I?ve got just to get the crown,? the soft-spoken 25-year-old, five-year pro said.
Nietes later told Sun,Star Bacolod he started boxing when he was 12 years old and that he fought his first amateur bout in a tournament of the Negros Amateur Boxing Association (NABA).
Also present during the press conference were NABA officials led by its president, former Bacolod councilor Juan Ramon ?Monju? Guanzon, treasurer Vic Tan, and director Emmanuel Yap, as well as Monico Golden Gloves organizer Monico Puentevella, among others.
Aldeguer challenged Puentevella and the NABA group to join hands in promoting Nietes?s next fight in Bacolod City. ?As a Bacole?o I urge you to help support this upcoming title fight by Donnie Nietes so that if he wins the world title we can stage his first title defense here in Bacolod City,? Aldeguer said.
The well-known owner of the ALA gym and boxing stable in Cebu City later visited the NABA gym where he watched several NABA boxers spar to show their wares.
He was accompanied by Puentevella, NABA officials, and members of media.
