Negros Occidental’s pride, two-division champion and reigning World Boxing Organization junior flyweight titlist Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes defends his title tonight against former WBO and IBF world minimumweight Raul Garcia of Mexico.
Both fighters tip the scales at 108 pounds yesterday during the weigh-in at Robinsons Place Bacolod.
The two champions banner Pinoy Pride 36: A Legend in the Making, a boxing spectacle that will start 6 p.m. at University of St. La Salle Coliseum.
More than the pride of defending his championship belt in front of his townmates in Bacolod City, Nietes will try to extend his undefeated streak and remain as the longest reigning Filipino world boxing champion.
Garcia, on the other hand, would like to make history and beat Nietes. Where 14 other Mexican fighters failed, Garcia said he will conquer the Filipino champion and bright the WBO junior flyweight title back to Mexico.
While thought of avenging his twin brother Ramon, who lost to Nietes in the same venue almost five years ago, Raul said he fights differently and has his own style.
In a press conference Thursday, he said he had not asked his brother for any clue on how to beat Nietes. They did not even discuss the fight, he said.
Raul said he had a very good training in preparation for the tonight’s fight and he hopes to knockout Nietes within five rounds.
Nietes’ response to Garcia: ?you do your own thing, and I will do mine.?
The Murcia-born world champion said he is not intimidated by Garcia and he is approaching the fights as any regular fight.
?But while I feel no pressure in facing him inside the ring, I am aware and has been constantly reminded by my trainers not to let my guards down. After all, he is a former champion,? Nietes said in the dialect.
Pinoy Pride 36: A Legend in the Making is co-promoted by ALA Promotions International and ABS-CBN.
The boxing spectacle will also feature Bago City’s ?King? Arthur Villanueva against Mexican Juan Jimenez of Mexico in a 12-round battle in 118 pounds, and one of ALA Gym’s potential champion boxers Milan Milendo who will test the strength of another Mexican, Maximino Flores.
Judges for the Nietes-Garcia fight are Robert Hoyle of Las Vegas, Mike Fitzgerald of Wisconsin and Thailand’s Pinit Praysab as judges while Celestino Ruiz of Chicago will be the third man inside the ring.*NAB
