Despite putting on a premium performance in Mexico last month, Donnie Nietes remains at a loss as to where and when he will make the third defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight crown.
The WBO has mandated Nietes, the Negros-born, Cebu-based puncher, to meet mandatory challenger Manuel Vargas of Mexico by late-May or early-June.
Days after Nietes? sensational beatdown of Erik Ramirez of Mexico in Oaxaca, it was reported that there is a huge possibility that he would be able to showcase his stuff before hometown fans.
Tony Aldeguer, whose son Michael handles Nietes, told the Bulletin that ?there?s now a slim chance that the fight will take place in the Philippines.?
Rumor has it that Vargas is asking for a big amount so he can agree to come to Manila and square off with Nietes.
Aldeguer said all is not lost but the trend is that Nietes might be forced to travel once again to Mexico and try to take the bull by the horns.
?Vargas? style suits Nietes more,? said Aldeguer, refusing to say that the Mexican is tailor-made for the Filipino champion who packs a 24-1 win-loss slate with 14 knockouts.
?Ramirez was more of a runner and Nietes still handled him but Vargas comes in and this is the reason why I think his style suits Nietes more,? said Aldeguer.
Aldeguer, quoting Nietes, said ?he can handle Vargas?, who has a 26-3-1 record with 11 knockouts.
While Vargas? asking price of $60,000 (P3 million) is not really stiff, it is believed that most of the sponsors have already committed their funds to the May 2 fight between Manny Pacquiao and Ricky Hatton.
Nietes is only one of three current Filipino world champions. The two others are WBO bantam boss Gerry Pe?alosa and International Boxing Federation fly titlist Nonito Donaire.
