THE names of Donnie Nietes and Roman Gonzalez have been linked for quite some time now, and hardcore boxing fans are itching to witness a unification showdown between two of the best light flyweights in the world.
There is a probability that they may see fruition if both parties negotiate and agree on terms.
?Yeah! Roman Gonzalez is a good fighter but I want to challenge him,? said Nietes of a possible world title clash with Gonzalez, in a press conference for ?Pinoy Pride 14 ? Night of Champions? yesterday at the City Sports Club.
Nietes, who was named one of the best mini-flyweights in history by the ?Ultimate Book of Boxing List,? will have the first title defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight crown against Mexican up-and-comer Felipe Salguero on June 2 at the Resorts World Manila Newport Performing Arts Theater.
?It depends on Donnie?s performance on June 2. His goal is to become the longest reigning world champion from the Philippines but if there?s an opportunity to face Roman then we want to make it happen,? said Nietes? promoter, ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer.
The unbeaten Gonzalez, the World Boxing Association (WBA) light flyweight champion, is rated by The Ring Magazine as the No. 1 108-pound fighter, while Nietes is third on the same list.
Nietes is geared up and ready to go for his first title defense, which could possibly be the key to a unification bout with Gonzalez.
?A knockout will come but I have trained for 12 rounds,? he said.
The main supporting bout features one of the most technically-gifted Filipino boxers, Milan Melindo, taking on former world champion Jesus Gelez in a crucial bout that could alter his future.
?Gelez is a former world champion. He must not be taken for granted. I have prepared well for this fight,? said Melindo.
ALA Promotions is looking at a possible world title fight for Melindo this year, and are targeting International Boxing Federation flyweight king Moruti Mthalane, WBA flyweight titleholder Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez and even Filipino-American Brian Viloria. Melindo is currently the mandatory challenger of Viloria.
Also seeing action in the latest installment of the successful ?Pinoy Pride? series is undefeated Genesis Servania, who is facing the toughest test of his young career in veteran former world title challenger Genaro ?Poblanito? Garcia.
