REIGNING World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes (33-4-1 win-draw-loss 19KOs) is ready to defend his title and to break the record for the longest reigning Filipino boxing champion when he faces Mexican challenger Carlos ?Chapito? Velarde (26-1-3 win-draw-loss 14KOs) on November 15 in the Pinoy Pride 28 at Cebu City Waterfront Hotel and Casino.
The 32-year-old Murcia-born champion, in an interview over Aksyon Isports of dyEZ Aksyon Radyo-Bacolod, said they have been in tough training for months as well and has studied Velarde?s previous fights to ensure that they have the right game plan.
?We want to make sure that we win this fight,? the Negrense champion said.
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When asked if he plans to knock Velarde during the fight, Nietes replied that he wants to stick to the game plan.
?I don?t look at a quick knockout to end the fight early. I want to stick to the game plan because, if I get eager to knock him [Velarde] out, I might lost the fight,? he said. ?But, if ever there is an opportunity, why not?? he added.
The long-time champion is not focusing in surpassing the seven-year and Three-month reign of Filipino boxing icon Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde, but on keeping his title.
?If I win this fight, I will definitely exceed Flash Elorde?s record,? he said.
Nietes asked his supporters, especially the Negresnes, to pray for his victory, hoping that no injury will be happen during the fight.
?I would also like to thank Bacolod City Mayor Monico Puentevella and Murcia Mayor Andrew Montelibano for their support,? he added.
Meanwhile, former WBO minimumweight titlist Merlito ?Tiger? Sabillo of Barangay Singcang-Airport, Bacolod and Toboso town is looking forward to redeem himself in the world championships after his March loss to Mexican Francisco Rodriguez Jr. (14-2 win-loss) via 10th round TKO in Arena Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo Le?n, Mexico.
The 30-year-old Sabillo (23-1-1 win-draw-loss 12KOs) will face Indonesian Farris Nenggo.
Also fighting in the main undercard is ?Prince? Albert Pagara, who will be defending his International Boxing Federation Inter-Continental super bantamweight title, against Raul Hirales (22-1-3 win-draw-loss record, 11KOs).
Hirales is coming off a defeat from Luis Melendez via unanimous decision last August for the vacant WBO NABO super bantamweight title. The 30-year-old Hirales (22-1-3 win-draw-loss, 11KOs) is the young brother of Ramon Garcia Hirales, who lost to Nietes for the WBO minimumweight title in 2010 at the University of St. La Salle.
Also scheduled to fight in the November 15 boxing spectacular is Milan ?El Metodico? Melindo (31-1 win-loss, 12KOs) and Saul ?Baby? Juarez (20-3 win-loss 11KOs) for the IBF Lightflyweight title eliminator.
Melindo last defeated Martin Tecuapetla via majority decision for the WBO International flyweight title in May at the MOA Arena.
AJ ?Bazooka? Banal (31-1-2 win-draw-loss with 22 KOs) will also be featured in the undercard with an opponent to be announced soon.
The Pinoy Pride 28 is a presentation of the ALA Promotions International, Inc. and ABS-CBN Sports.
