The 25th edition of the Pinoy Pride is slated on May 10 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila featuring three exciting fighters from the ALA Boxing Stable — reigning WBO light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, former WBO-WBA flyweight king Milan “El Metodico” Melindo and ex-champion Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista.
CEO and president of ALA Promotions Michael Aldeguer said that Nietes will have a rematch with Mexican Moises Fuentes, who settled for an intriguing major draw in their first encounter.
Melindo, who holds the WBO International flyweight title, is penned to fight Mexican Martin Tecuapetla. It will be his second fight since losing to WBO/WBA flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico last year in Macau.
Last November 30, Melindo scored a lopsided twelve round unanimous decision victory over another Mexican, Jose Alfredo “Torito” Rodriguez.
Bautista, on the other hand, will be pitted against another Mexican, Sergio Villanueva, Aldeguer said.
In April of last year, he said Bautista lost a split decision to Jose ?Negro? Ramirez of Mexico in Davao City. ALA Promotions subsequently announced his retirement but after months of soul searching, Bautista decided to return to the sport that he loves.
Aldeguer stated that he has always looked at the bigger picture in promoting fights; not just in terms of wins and losses but in promoting Philippine boxing as a whole and preparing for the post-Pacquiao era.
Nietes has been training hard for this fight and spent a month in the U.S to look for more quality sparmates.
Aldeguer said Nietes has the quiet self-belief of a veteran. He has reigned as world champion over two divisions since September 2007. A win against Fuentes will put him closer to Philippine boxing?s most hallowed record ?- the seven-year, three-month reign of Gabriel “Flash” Elorde as world junior lightweight champion.*PNA
