CARSON, California ? Donnie Nietes’ dream of fighting one of the biggest names in boxing today, Roman Gonzalez, is close to becoming a reality.
But before that, he has to get past one more obstacle, Mexican challenger Juan “Pinky” Alejo, against whom he will be defending his World Boxing Organization (WBO) and lineal The Ring light flyweight belts today (RP time) here at the StubHub Center in the main feature of Pinoy Pride 33 – ?Philippines vs. the World.?
The 33-year-old Nietes, still at the peak of his game, can?t afford to lose nor show an unimpressive performance in order for him to earn a shot at Gonzalez, who is now considered as the best boxer pound-for-pound.
“I have been longing for that fight (against Gonzalez) for so long,” the soft-spoken Nietes told Sun.Star Cebu after yesterday’s weigh-in at the Carson Civic Center.
“I will wait for my promoter’s decision. I think they will give me a tune-up fight before that.”
Nietes is eager to show the world what he’s made of, especially to the Filipino crowd, in his US debut.
?I’m very excited for the fight. I will show the Filipinos here my best, a fight that they will enjoy,? said Nietes, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
Nietes tipped the scales at 107.8, while Alejo weighed-in a bit lighter at 107.4 pounds.
Nietes is 36-1-4 with 21 knockouts, while Alejo is 21-3 with 13 knockouts.
Nietes has beaten some of the best Mexicans in the light flyweight and mini-flyweight divisions, like Moises Fuentes, Francisco Rodriguez and Ramon Garcia-Hirales.
Alejo, rated No. 8 in the WBO, lost his first three fights as a pro but has never lost since and is on a 21-bout winning streak.
Main supporting bout
Unbeaten super bantamweight prospect Albert Pagara (24-0, 17 KOs) trades leathers with veteran former world title contender William Gonzalez (27-5, 23 KOs) for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental super bantamweight crown in the show’s main supporting bout.
Another undefeated up-and-comer from the ALA Gym, Mark Magsayo (11-0, 9 KOs), will try and defend his International Boxing Federation (IBF) Youth featherweight belt against unbeaten Mexican prospect Yardley Suarez (13-0, 8 KOs).
Albert?s older brother Jason Pagara (36-2, 22 KOs) squares off with former world title challenger Santos Benavides (27-5-2, 19 KOs) in a 10-rounder.
?It’ll all be great fights tomorrow (today). It could be the biggest tests for them (Pagara brothers and Magsayo),? said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer.
California-based Cebuano Bruno Escalante (13-1-1, 6 KOs) returns to the ring after a long layoff due to a hand injury to face Nestor Ramos (6-2-1, 2 KOs) in the events curtain-raiser.
Pinoy Pride 33 is ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN’s first venture in the US. Never before has a Philippine-based promotional outfit promoted boxing events here in the US, which makes this show historical not only for Nietes but also for ALA Promotions.
