Nietes, Sabillo to defend belts at famed Big Dome
The two reigning world champions of the ALA gym are set to face Latino challengers in a mammoth fight card at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Nov. 30.
Donnie “Ahas” Nietes will defend his WBO light flyweight world title for the third time against Sammy Gutierrez of Puebla, Mexico.
Nietes fought Moises Fuentes of Mexico, who was then the reigning WBO 105 lb or minimumweight world champ, to a majority draw last March at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. Nietes’ first defense of his 108 lb division title was a unanimous decision win against Felipe Salguero of Mexico last year at the Resorts World in Pasay City.
Nietes (31-1-4, 17KOs), who previously held the WBO world minimumweight title, has fought at the world championship level since 2007.
Gutierrez (33-9-2, 23 KOs) is a former WBC Silver champion and former WBA interim world minimumweight champion who counts Filipinos Renan Trongco and Roilo Golez among his victims.
In a battle of undefeated fighters, WBO minimumweight champ Merlito ‘Tiger’ Sabillo (23-0, 12 KO’s) will face mandatory challenger Carlos Buitrago (27-0, 16 KOs) of Nicaragua.
Sabillo stopped Jorle Estrada of Colombia in nine rounds for the first defense of his title at the Solaire Resort and Casino last July. He won his title in Colombia by 8th round TKO against Luis dela Rosa.
Buitrago for his part, beat Julian Yedras by unanimous decision in Mexico in his last bout. He also stopped the same Jorle Estrada in six rounds three years ago in Nicaragua.
HOT UNDERCARD
Three ALA stars will be featured in the undercards – Milan “El Metodico” Melindo will face Mexican Jose Alfredo Rodriguez, WBO International light welterweight champion Jason Pagara will battle Vladimir Baez of the Dominican Republic and AJ “Bazooka” Banal will tangle with Lucian Gonzalez of Puerto Rico.
This will be the second time that a double world championship fight card was hosted by the Philippines.
In 2009, Brian Viloria dethroned Ulises Solis for the IBF Junior flyweight title and Nonito Donaire retained his IBF flyweight belt against Raul Martinez.
The Araneta Coliseum has seen legendary champions and historic fights – Flash Elorde vs. Harold Gomes, Ali-Frazier III: Thrilla in Manila and Manny Pacquiao vs Oscar Larios, just to name a few.
