Ahas, Tiger to keep momentum

Quezon City— Nonito Donaire demolished Vic Darchinyan with a ninth-round stoppage in their Nov. 11 showdown in Texas, USA. Last Sunday in Macau, Manny Pacquiao turned Brandon Rios into a veritable punching bag. Those stirring wins somehow perked up the Filipinos following the devastation brought about by supertyphoon Yolanda.
The spirits have been high since then and Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo will try to keep it that way.
Aside from keeping their respective belts, the two ALA Gym fighters know that they are not just fighting for themselves when they take on highly touted foes in the mammoth Pinoy Pride 23: Filipinos Kontra Latinos card this Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.
“We are happy with the wins of Pacquiao and Donaire. Those wins will motivate us to give our countrymen devastated by the recent typhoon something to cheer about,” said Nietes in yesterday’s press conference at the Gloriamaris Banquet Hall  of Gateway Mall.
“We will try to continue the momentum. We’re glad that the Filipino boxers were able to bounce back from a string of defeats,” said Sabillo.
Pacquiao and Donaire had their share of setbacks before winning their most recent fights.
Nietes (31W-17Kos-1L-4D) will defend is WBO light-flyweight crown against Mexican Sammy”Guty” Gutierrez (33W-23KOs-9L-2D), a former world champion.
NIETES SEES KO
Nietes, currently the second longest-reigning Filipino world champion next to Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, didn’t mince words when asked how confident he is in retaining his title belt.
“I know this is a world title fight but for me this is just a tune-up fight. I will definitely go for a knockout. I prepared hard for this fight and it is going to pay off on Saturday,” said Nietes, who has been a world champion for six years. Elorde held a world title belt for at least seven years.
Gutierrez, however, was quick to remind Nietes that nothing will be easy.
“This is not going to be an easy fight. I have fought tough Mexican fighters. This is going to be a war and I am determined in bringing the title home,” said Gutierrez, a former WBA minimiumweight world champion.
TOUGH FOE FOR SABILLO
Sabillo is also in for what could be a slambang battle against Nicaraguan Carlos “Chocorroncito” Buitrago for the Pinoy’s WBO minimumweight world title. Both fighters are undefeated.
Sabillo, a native of Bacolod City like Nietes, has yet to lose in 23 fights with 12 knockouts.
Currently the interim WBO  minimumweight king, the 21-year-old Buitrago has 27 wins spiked by 16 stoppages.
“I’m in an excellent condition after training for two months for this fight. I am happy to fight here and I absolutely want to steal Sabillo’s crown,” said Buitrago.
MOUTHWATERING UNDERCARD
Milan “El Metodico” Melindo (29W-12KOs-1L) will try to defend his WBO international flyweight crown against Mexico’s Jose Alfredo “Torito” Rodriguez (29W-18KOs-2L), while Jason “El Niño” Pagara (31W-19KOs-2L) will stake his WBO international light-welterweight title against Dominican Republic’s Vladimir Baez (19W-17KOs-1L-2D).
AJ “Bazooka” Banal (29W-21KOs-2L-1D) looks to continue his climb to the top when he battles Puerto Rico’s Luciano Gonzales (14W-3KOs-7L-2D) while Jimrex “The Executioner” Jaca (38W-21KOs-6L-3D) will meet Indonesia’s Wellem Reyk (17W-5KOs-7L-3D).
“We are confident of scoring a sweep. There had been no distractions in the training and the fighters are all prepared,” said ALA Gym trainer Edito Villamor.
Michael Aldeguer, ALA Promotions CEO/president, admits Saturday’s card is the biggest Pinoy Pride ever.
“It was difficult to put up this card. We weren’t sure if this card would push through after the typhoon but we wanted to show the Filipino trait and that is the ability to rise,” said Aldeguer.
Peter Musngi, ABS-CBN sports consultant, announced that part of the card’s proceeds will be donated to typhoon survivors in Eastern Visayas.