Nietes defends WBO belt vs brash Mexican tonight
By Dale G. Rosal and Rene Bonsubre JrAfter hurdling yesterday’s test of the scales, it’s now green and go for Filipino Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes and Mexican challenger Moises Fuentes’ Saturday night battle at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino in Lahug.
The two protagonists, who will dispute Nietes’ WBO light flyweight belt in the main event of Pinoy Pride XVIII: World Champion vs. World Champion, came in at the division limit of 108 lbs during yesterday’s weigh-in witnessed by an enthusiastic crowd at the SM Cebu Events Centre.
The Nietes-Fuentes fight is scheduled for 12 rounds. Fuentes is the reigning WBO world minimumweight champion.
“I am very excited and very prepared for him. Let’s see who will fall first,” said Nietes. “I know that he has a strong hook and my waving and ducking will be very useful in this fight. I plan to use my uppercuts more to hit him,” added Nietes who refused to reveal his game plan saying his strategy will all depend on how Fuentes reacts in the ring.
“We have already outlined several options. Nietes will be ready for Fuentes,” declared Nietes’ trainer Edmund Villamor.
Fuentes himself is equally confident.
“I am very excited for this fight. I am glad that a lot of people watched the weigh-in. I will do my best to win against Nietes because this fight is very important for me. I feel very strong after the weigh-in so I am expecting a stronger me on fight night,” Fuentes told CDN.
SERVANIA, JACA MAKE WEIGHT
Meanwhile, WBO Asia-Pacific super bantamweight titlist Genesis ‘Azukal’ Servania weighed in at 122 lbs while his challenger Angky Angkotta of Indonesia tipped the scales at 120.5 lbs. The Servania-Angkotta fight is the card’s co-main feature.
Jimrex ‘The Executioner’ Jaca weighed 142.5 lbs while his Thai opponent Rachamongkol Sor Pleonchit came in at 140 lbs. They will fight for ten rounds in a non-title contest.
For the undercards: Mark Bernaldez – 122.5 lbs vs. Rolando Omelia – 120 ¾ lbs (8 rounds), Ralph Lulu- 122.5 lbs vs Alvin Makiling – 124 lbs (8 rounds), Juren Labordo 112.5 lbs vs Marlou Talili – 110.5 lbs (6 rounds), Rey Morales -113 vs Abel Gayhun – 112 lbs (6 rounds) and Kazuma Ejiri of Japan – 115.5 lbs vs Andrew Palas – 115.5 lbs (4 rounds).
Supervising the proceedings were WBO VP for Asia-Pacific Leon Panoncillo and GAB supervisors Rolando Mendoza and Glen Agena.
Legendary Mexican boxing champion Marco Antonio Barrera was also in attendance. He had a brief Q and A session with the Cebu sportswriters and was mobbed by fans and local boxers for photos.
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