FOLLOWING a string of postponements, the much-awaited world title battle between World Boxing Organization mini-flyweight king Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and interim champion Manuel “Chango” Vargas finally treads the canvas today at the El Palenque de la Feria, Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico in Top Rank’s “Latin Fury 11” boxing extravaganza.
It was originally set on May 16 and was moved to July 18 because of the AH1N1 scare in Mexico. It was then rescheduled to Aug. 1 and was canceled again because the sponsors of Mexican promoter Fernando Beltran backed out.
But today, the titleholders will finally clash and determine who has the better right to hold the WBO mini-flyweight strap.
Since winning the vacant world title in 2007 against Thai Pornsawan Porpramook, the 27-year-old Nietes has successfully defended his belt twice already including a convincing unanimous decision win over Mexican challenger Erik Ramirez last Feb. 28 in Mexico.
Defense
Meanwhile, Vargas has defended his interim title once, after stealing the strap from Daniel Reyes, who he knocked out in the fourth round.
Nietes, who hasn’t lost since 2005, has a striking record of 24 victories, a loss and three draws with 14 stoppages, while Vargas is as impressive with 26 wins, three defeats and a draw with 11 knockouts.
Also seeing action on the same card is fellow ALA gym star Z “The Dream” Gorres, who is slated for a 12-round battle with dangerous Mexican veteran Cruz “Chucho” Carbajal.
Gorres was impressive in his last outing, he showed his power in his new weight category, the bantamweight class, wherein he demolished former world champion Roberto Leyva in the seventh round of their 12-round title bout at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu last May.
Loss
On the other hand, Carbajal is off from an eighth-round, knockout loss by Leonilo Miranda in 2008.
The 27-year-old Gorres boasts of an impressive professional boxing slate of 29 wins, two losses and two draws, while Carbajal has 29 victories, 16 losses and two draws with 25 knockouts.
Although Carbajal’s record looks unimpressive, he is a world champion and has fought some of the best names in his division, like WBO bantamweight titleholder Fernando Montiel, ex-International Boxing Federation super bantamweight titlist Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, erstwhile WBO bantamweight champion Ratanachai Sor Vorapin and Silence Mabuza.
Nietes and Gorres’ fights will be shown on Solar Sports and CS/9 at 10 in the morning.
