WORLD Boxing Organization (WBO) reigning minimumweight champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes Friday said he is confident of retaining his world title against Mexican challenger Manuel Vargas in Mexico next month.
?I have been undergoing rigid training since April and I have sparred close to 100 rounds for this fight so I am definitely prepared,? the former Negros Amateur Boxing Association (Naba) standout told Sun.Star Bacolod in a text message.
Among the sparmates of the 27-year-old Nietes were minimumweight Milan Milendo, RP flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes as well as WBO Asia-Pacific flyweight champion Jhonreil Casimiro.
This will be Nietes? third title defense after he first defended his crown against Eddy Castro, winning via a second round knockout at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City on August 30, 2008. He won again last Feb. 28 in Mexico against Mexican Erik Ramirez posting a 12-round unanimous decision victory.
Against the 28-year-old Vargas Nietes insists he is confident of winning and is more than ready to fight again possibly in Oaxaca City where he won over Ramirez. ?Hindi naman ako nagpapabaya sa pagsasanay ko. May apat din akong tape ni Vargas at alam kong ang malakas sa kanya ay ang mga body punches. Ito ang talagang pinaghahandaan ko sa kanya at ngayon pa lamang ay kuha ko na and style niya pero hindi ako nagkukumpiyansa dahil baka matsambahan pa,? Nietes said.
Nietes, with fellow ALA boxer AJ ?Bazooka? Banal and trainer Edmund Villamor are scheduled to leave today for the US where he is to resume training under the watchful eyes of renowned international trainer Freddie Roach at his famous Wild Card Gym in LA.
