Defending WBO light flyweight champion Ramon “El Principe” Garcia Hirales of Mexico had a torrid sparring session with local standouts Jason Canoy and Johnriel Casimero at the Omega Boxing and Workout Gym in Mabolo yesterday as he prepares for his much-awaited title defense against Donnie “Ahas” Nietes on Oct. 8 in Bacolod City.
Garcia Hirales (16W-2L-1D, 9 KOs) has been in Cebu for a week now underscoring his intentions to bring his belt back to Mexico against ALA Gym’s Nietes (28W-1L-2D, 16 KOs) in the main event of the Pinoy Pride 9 at the University of Saint La Salle gym.
Together with his brother and former two-time minimumweight champion Raul “Rayito” Garcia, they also joined the Omega gym boxers in their morning roadwork in Busay accompanied by Alexander Castillo, the son of their manager Edrulfo Castillo and trainer Leo Camacho.
Castillo told CDN that they decided to come early so that they can adjust to the climate and the 14-hour time difference. They have also gone around Cebu and are impressed with the beaches in Lapu-lapu City.
Garcia Hirales spoke to CDN after his sparring session and said that “Nietes is a great fighter. I have much respect for Donnie Nietes. But the day of the fight I am going to show that I am the champion. I am going to win in Bacolod.”
Castillo and Garcia Hirales also said that they admire Nietes’ effort in winning three title defenses in Mexico. They said now they are returning the favor by fighting him on his home turf.
Twin brother Raul Garcia (30W-2L-1D, 18 KOs) is scheduled to fight Ivan Calderon of Puerto Rico on Oct. 28 for the interim WBO minimumweight title. He did not make any predictions about the outcome of his brother’s title defense but he expects a difficult and exciting bout. Raul has also sparred with the Omega gym boxers.
The 29-year-old Garcia Hirales is open to fighting in the Philippine again if he beats Nietes. “Yes, I’d like to fight here again. People here in Cebu are really nice to me. Fans are friendly to me and our team. I like it here,” he said.
The 29-year-old Nietes, a former WBO minimumweight champion, will be going for his second world title in two weight divisions in the main event of Pinoy Pride 9 at University of St. La Salle Gymnasium.