BACOLOD CITY, Philippines ? It will now only be a matter of time as Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes’ confidence is rising for the ALA stalwart to finally capture his dream of becoming a two-division world champion as he faces WBO light flyweight champion Ramon ?El Principe? Garcia Hirales in the main event of the “Pinoy Pride 9” tonight at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum here.
At the weigh-in yesterday, the former WBO minimumweight king Nietes showed his readiness as he easily scaled in at exactly 108 lbs. unlike Garcia who went through hell as he was forced to slash extra pounds to still be able to defend his belt.
?Nindot gyud kaayo ako kondisyon run og dali rasad nako nakuha ang timbang,? said the more relaxed Nietes. ?Going to the fight, taas akong confidence ug salig ko nga makuha na nako ning akong ikaduhang world title.?
ALA chief trainer Edmund Villamor saw a little advantage from what happened during the weigh-in. ?Daku gyud tog epekto niya (Garcia) kay luya ang usa ka boxer ana ug makuhaan gamay ang iyang kusug,? he said.
But Garcia immediately disagree to Villamor?s belief as he promised to show his full potential so that he can still go home to Mexico with his belt.
?It doesn?t matter, I am ready and that?s a little thing for me? said Garcia. ?I came here not to give away my belt but to defend it.?
For his part, ALA Boxing Gym founder Antonio ?Bidoy? Aldeguer expressed his faith in Nietes who is considered his most prized boxer.
?You know what of all of my boxers, it’s Nietes who have my full trust and confidence in winning a world title because he knows how to win,? said Aldeguer.
Aldeguer said he is not underestimating Garcia, but Nietes is the only Filipino boxer who has defended his belt (WBO minimum weight title) three times in Mexico.
?He did it three times in Mexico, what more that he is fighting in his own territory,? he said. ?Garcia is a champion but an average champion and if he is a champion lets not also forget that Nietes is still a champion of his own.?
In the equally-exciting supporting bout, WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight champion AJ ?Bazooka? Banal is aching to score an impressive win against a much taller and undefeated Mario ?Maca? Briones.
There was a brief tension as Banal and Briones go at it during the traditional stare down. ?Ako gyud siyang gitutukan pag maayo kay ako ipakita niya nga wa ko mahadlok,? said Banal.
Another ALA fighter in 17-year-old Albert Pagara also wants to prove something as he takes on his first foreign foe in Shabani Madilu of Tanzania. (FREEMAN)
