Donnie Nietes seeks 2nd title vs Mexican Ramon Garcia Hirales

MANILA—Donnie “Ahas” Nietes goes for his second world title when he battles Mexican titlist Ramon Garcia Hirales for the WBO light-flyweight crown on Oct. 8 at the La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City.

The 29-year-old Nietes, a stalwart of Cebu-based ALA Boxing Stable, once held the WBO minimumweight crown and successfully defended it four times, before moving up in weight this year.

Hoping to impress fans in his hometown, Nietes, who has won three fights in Mexico, said he will go for a knockout against Hirales.

“I just can’t say what round but I will go for the knockout,” said the Filipino challenger, who grew up in Murcia a town just outside Bacolod, at the PSA Forum at the Shakey’s U.N. Avenue in Manila.

“He (Hirales) has no power in his punches. He is just quick. I am confident I can beat him,” said Nietes, who carries a ring record of 28-1-3 record (16 KOs).

The October card in Bacolod will be the second in as many months that will feature the finest boxers from the ALA Stable of Antonio Aldeguer.

A Philippines versus Mexico card on September 8 is also slated at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City with the showdown between undefeated Milan Melindo and Francisco Rosas of Mexico headlining the card.

“It’s the first time that we will be bringing in three boxers from Mexico,” said ALA’s Chad Canares of the fight card which will also pit Genesis Servania against Mexican Gerson Guerrero and knockout artist Jason Pagara battling Rosbel Montoya, also of Mexico.

Canares said they are still looking for a Mexican opponent for AJ Banal, who is also penciled to fight in the main undercard of the Nietes fight.

Nietes seeks 2nd title vs Mexican

By Cedelf P. Tupas

Donnie “Ahas” Nietes goes for his second world title when he battles Mexican titlist Ramon Garcia Hirales for the WBO light-flyweight crown on Oct. 8 at the La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City.

The 29-year-old Nietes, a stalwart of Cebu-based ALA Boxing Stable, once held the WBO minimumweight crown and successfully defended it four times, before moving up in weight this year.

Hoping to impress fans in his hometown, Nietes, who has won three fights in Mexico, said he will go for a knockout against Hirales.

“I just can’t say what round but I will go for the knockout,” said the Filipino challenger, who grew up in Murcia a town just outside Bacolod, at the PSA Forum at the Shakey’s U.N. Avenue in Manila.

“He (Hirales) has no power in his punches. He is just quick. I am confident I can beat him,” said Nietes, who carries a ring record of 28-1-3 record (16 KOs).

The October card in Bacolod will be the second in as many months that will feature the finest boxers from the ALA Stable of Antonio Aldeguer.

A Philippines versus Mexico card on September 8 is also slated at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City with the showdown between undefeated Milan Melindo and Francisco Rosas of Mexico headlining the card.

“It’s the first time that we will be bringing in three boxers from Mexico,” said ALA’s Chad Canares of the fight card which will also pit Genesis Servania against Mexican Gerson Guerrero and knockout artist Jason Pagara battling Rosbel Montoya, also of Mexico.

Canares said they are still looking for a Mexican opponent for AJ Banal, who is also penciled to fight in the main undercard of the Nietes fight.