DONNIE Nietes isn?t a stranger to fighting world title fights in hostile territory. In fact, he has done it successfully three times in Mexico?a place where Filipinos have a low winning rate when there is a world title at stake.
But despite that achievement, ALA Promotions, Nietes?s handlers, isn?t taking a gamble on another world title fight in Mexico, and are working diligently to bring the blockbuster bout here in Cebu?the place where Nietes built his career and flourished to become a world champion.
Check our new look and tell us what you think.
?There is a big chance for the fight to be held in the Philippines. In fact, we already have a date?Feb. 2 in Cebu,? ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu.
Nietes has been mandated to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight crown against WBO mini-flyweight champion Moises Fuentes, who is moving up in weight.
As much as ALA Promotions wants it to be staged in the Philippines, the venue is still uncertain as of now because the top Philippine promotional outfit is up against Fernando Beltran?s Zanfer Promotions?the biggest boxing promotional company in Mexico.
?The promoter of Moises Fuentes is Zanfer Promotions and they, too, want it staged in Mexico. We will have to look into everything before we make a decision,? said Aldeguer.
Record
The two-division world titleholder Nietes, 30-1-3 with 16 knockouts, has fought against Mexicans in his last seven fights. He has beaten the likes of current world champions Mario Rodriguez and Jesus Silvestre, and former world titlists Ramon Garcia and Manuel Vargas.
?It will be an interesting fight as Fuentes is a typical Mexican that never backs down,? Aldeguer said.
Layoff
The 27-year-old Fuentes, 16-1 with eight knockouts, had a breakout year last year after winning the WBO mini-flyweight belt with a split decision over Raul Garcia. He defended his crown twice this year with a first-round knockout over Julio Cesar Felix and a fifth-round stoppage over now-retired Puerto Rican star Ivan Calderon.
Nietes is on a long layoff, and last fight was in July against Felipe Salguero. ALA Promotions is working on giving him a tune-up fight in Dumaguete next month to take away the ring rust before his mandatory title defense in 2013.
