It?s not quite Manny?s eight, but two isn?t easy either. The man who has that belt will have something to say about losing it. Ramon Garcia, brother of 105 lb. titlist Raul Garcia, is hitting the road for the latest chapter in this generation?s exciting Mexico-Philippines rivalry.
Let?s go the report card.
The Ledgers
Ramon Garcia Age: 27 Titles: WBO Jr. Flyweight (2011-Present, 1st Attempted Defense) Previous Titles: None Height: 5?3 Weight: TBA Average Weight ? Last Five Fights: 107.75 lbs. Hails from: La Paz, Mexico Record: 16-2-1, 9 KO BoxingScene Rank: #7 at Jr. Flyweight Record in Major Title Fights: 1-0, 1 KO (4-1, 1 KO including interim title fights) Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Defeated: 1 (Jesus Geles)
Vs.
Donnie Nietes Age: 29 Title: None Previous Titles: WBO Strawweight (2007-10, 4 Defenses Height: 5?3 Weight: TBA Average Weight ? Last Five Fights: 106.1 lbs. Hails from: Bacolod City, Philippines Record: 28-1-3, 16 KO BoxingScene Rank: #10 at Jr. Flyweight Record in Major Title Fights: 5-0, 1 KO Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Defeated: 1 (Pornsawan Porpramook)
Grades Pre-Fight: Speed ? Garcia B; Nietes B Pre-Fight: Power ? Garcia B; Nietes B Pre-Fight: Defense ? Garcia B-; Nietes B- Pre-Fight: Intangibles ? Garcia B+; Nietes B
The Pick
This is the best fight of the week, errantly overlooked in this author?s weekly ?Picks of the Week? and made up for with this short preview. The fight is worth the extra coverage. While not one looming large on the radar of most fight fans, Garcia and Nietes match up well.
They are about equal in height, pop, and neither has ever been stopped. Garcia showed a lot earlier this year, bouncing back from a questionable decision loss to Jesus Geles with a commanding knockout. Nietes, overlooked despite his title reign at 105 lbs., can point to a Porpramook win, for his previous belt, as evidence of his quality.
Garcia throws straighter shots and will pressure in this contest while Nietes is likely to box more and attempt to land big rights over the top and as an educated, snappy uppercut. Neither man has faced a deoth of tough talent, with a common opponent in Manuel Vargas. Both narrowly skated by on the cards, Nietes by split nod on the road in Mexico and Garcia by majority verdict.
