Donnie Nietes is ready to rumble.
Barely a week before making his US debut, Nietes is feeling all pumped up, eager to showcase his wares against Mexican challenger Juan Alejo.
Nietes makes the eight defense of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) light-flyweight crown on Oct. 17 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California and a victory should pave the way for more fights in the US mainland for one of boxing?s longest reigning titlists.
?Talagang excited na ako lumaban,? said Nietes, who has been to the US a few times as a tourist and not as a fighter headlining a major show.
Nietes arrived in Los Angeles almost two weeks ago and didn?t waste any time getting ready, taking on Fil-Am Brian Viloria in two intense sparring sessions at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood.
So heated and thrilling were the workouts that even Viloria, who also fights on the same night but at Madison Square Garden in New York, gave credit to Nietes.
Viloria challenges Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua at around the same time Nietes deals with the little-known Alejo.
Nietes will work out for the very last time at the Wild Card on Wednesday to prepare for the press conference and the official weighin.
Joining Nietes in ALA Boxing?s first project in America are the Pagara brothers Jason and Albert and undefeated featherweight prospect Mark Magsayo.
