Negros Occidental will definitely bid to host the next mandatory title-defense of Word Boxing Organization minimumweight champion Donnie Nietes, with the bout tentatively set December this year, Negros Amateur Boxing Association president Juan Ramon ?Monju? Guanzon said.
Guanzon headed the group of local sports leaders in welcoming Nietes back in town after his recent successful defense in Mexico against Mario Rodriguez.
Nietes, who was given a hero?s welcome in Murcia by town officials headed by Mayor Andrew Montelibano and Vice Mayor Gerry Rojas, expressed hopes that his next fight will be in Bacolod City.
He wanted his fellow Negrenses to see him fight, hear their cheers, and feel their presence as he battles inside the ring against the next challenger.
But bringing Nietes? fight to Bacolod City will not be easy, Guanzon said, saying they will need to raise at least P10 million to realize this dream.
While the provincial government, through Vice Gov. Genaro Alvarez the local government of Murcia, through Mayor Montelibano, committed to give full support in Nietes? next fight, Guanzon said they need to tap major sponsors and a television network to air the fight.
Also committing his support to Nietes was Oscar ?Dodong? Bascon, one of the pillars of the local sports in the province.
Bascon, whose son Agustin is the mayor of Himamaylan City, said the Himamaylanons will definitely help in the effort to bring the fight to Negros Occidental.
Meanwhile, Nietes encouraged all local boxers to continue training and improve their skills so that the province will have more boxing champions.
Bacolod City and the town of Murcia, he said, are teeming with talents and given the right training, he is confident that the province will produce new breed of world-class boxers.
Nietes will be in the city until Thursday and will go back to Cebu to continue his training.
He also expressed his gratitude to Antonio ?Bidoy? Aldeguer of ALA Promotions, who had always been very supportive of him.*NAB
