Nietes will fall — foe

Donnie Nietes will fall down.

This was the bold prediction of current WBO Minimumweight champion Moises “Moi” Fuentes regarding his upcoming fight against reigning two-division world champion and current WBO Light Flyweight king Donnie “Ahas” Nietes.

The two will headline this Saturday’s “Pinoy Pride XVII: World Champion vs. World Champion” card at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Fuentes made the statement during his audience with Cebuano media yesterday along with his trainer Genaro Segura and Aaron Rodriguez and manager Jorge Barrera at the Formo Resto Bar in Banilad Town Center (BTC).

Called the ‘Baby Faced Assassin’ like legendary Mexican boxer Marco Antonio Barrera who is his manager’s brother, Fuentes said being allowed to use the moniker is an added motivation for him to win whoever is put in front of him.

Barrera will be at the Waterfront Hotel to cover the fight.

“Having that ring name is a huge responsibility and a huge honor for me because I am using the ring name of a boxing legend and this will surely inspire me to fight harder,” said Fuentes (26W-1L 20 KOs).

Fuentes said he has sparred a total of 138 rounds against tough sparmates including former world champion Edgar Sosa and that he feels more powerful for the Saturday night fight against Nietes (16W-1L, 8KO) who will be defending his WBO Light flyweight title for the third time here in the Philippines.

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Fuentes thanked the Filipinos for the warm welcome accorded to him and his team when they arrived last Feb. 23 and he said he hopes to have a Filipina girlfriend.

Barrera meanwhile, believes this Saturday’s fight will further highlight the intense boxing rivalry between the Philippines and Mexico.

“The rivalry will continue for years to come. It is a sports rivalry and more great fights will happen.”

Today, the veteran Angky “Time Bomb” Angkotta (24-8-1,14KOs) of Indonesia will face the media also at the Formo Resto Bar while Nietes and Fuentes will meet for the first time in tomorrow’s final press conference at the Waterfront Hotel along with the undercard fighters.

Meanwhile, ALA Promotions VP Dennis Canete said ticket sales for Saturday’s fight is doing well and they expect sales to peak on fight day.