CEBU CITY?It?s time for Donnie Nietes to move up in weight and bring his act elsewhere.
Nietes dominated Mexican Francisco Rodriguez Saturday night in the headliner of Pinoy Pride 31 at Waterfront Hotel and Casino here Saturday night, asserting his mastery of the World Boxing Organization junior flyweight division and enhancing his legacy as longest reigning Filipino world champion.
ALA Promotions president and CEO Michael Aldeguer was pleased with what his star fighter had accomplished and promised to give him the chance to shine even further.
During the post-fight press conference also held at the ballroom where Nietes silenced the cocky Mexican with a unanimous decision, 115-113, 119-109 and 118-110, Aldeguez bared his plans for the pride of Murcia, Negros Occidental.
Nietes, no longer young at 33, will be climbing to the highly competitive flyweight division.
READ: Nietes stakes WBO crown vs ?cocky? Mexican tonight
Aldequer, however, remains in quandary whether to pit Nietes against the 112-pound champions outright or to test his mettle first with a non-title fight at a catchweight of 110 pounds.
?Definitely we?re looking at the bigger weight next year, ? Aldeguer said. ?We?re gonna re-assess this year, if he can be ready to go up in weight next year.?
For his part, Nietes wants to defend his 108-pound title one more time and, if possible, do it in his hometown.
Aldeguer will likely grant Nietes? request.
?We?re looking at November in Bacolod,? said Aldeguer, noting that the last time Nietes fought in Bacolod was in 2011.
?They [Negrenses] want to watch him again. He?s a legend right now, and it will be something like a homecoming for him.?
But an interesting offer to fight former light flyweight champion Giovani Segura in the United States might got in the way.
?It has always been the plan for the last few years, now it may happen. We?re looking at October, most probably second week.?
ALA Promotions is now licensed to stage fight cards in the US, with the initial foray set at StubHub in Carson, California. For 2016, four cards have been calendared, including a major promotion that would likely feature Nietes.
As a flyweight, Nietes will have to contend with the likes of World Boxing Council king Roman Gonzalez (43-0 with 37 knockouts), World Boxing Association and WBO titlist Juan Francisco Estrada (32-2, 23 knockouts) or International Boxing Federation champion Amnat Ruenroeng (16-0, 5 knockouts).
International stints are also up for Mark Magsayo (11-0, 9 knockoust) following his fifth round stoppage of Mexican Rafael Reyes in their battle for the IBF Youth featherweight title.
