Cebu not yet sure to host Nietes’ title defense vs Fuentes

IT’S final, two division world champion and current WBO lightflyweight king Donnie “Ahas” Nietes (31-1-3) will defend his title against current WBO minimumweight king Moises Fuentes (16-1, with 8 KOs) this February.

This was confirmed by ALA Boxing Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer who also revealed that the earlier plan to have the fight held here in Cebu is still under negotiations.

Aldeguer and one of Mexico’s premier boxing promotional outfits, Zanfer Promotions are still negotiating about the fight’s venue.

“One thing is for sure, Fuentes will be fighting Donnie. We at ALA are doing our best to bring the fight here in Cebu. But for now we will just wait for the result of the negotiations,” said Aldeguer.

If the Fuentes-Nietes fight will happen here, one of boxing’s most decorated stars, Marco Antonio Barrera, the former WBO superbantamweight, WBC featherweight and WBC superfeatherweight champion will be here to accompany his brother Jorge who is the manager of Fuentes.

Barrera (67-7, 44 KOs), known as the “Baby Faced Assassin” is popular among Filipino fight fans having fought and lost twice to Filipino boxing icon and eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao in 2003 and 2007. He retired last year.

The Nietes-Fuentes fight is tentatively set for Feb. 2 or 9.

If negotiations fail, Aldeguer said Nietes will be forced to defend his title in Mexico. Nietes won won the WBO minimumweight title in Mexico and defended it five times against Mexican challengers. He won the WBO light flyweight title against Ramon Garcia Hirales last year.