Grudge fight: Nietes eyes KO vs Fuentes

MANILA, Philippines — What they failed to settle the first time, Donnie Nietes and Mexican Moises Fuentes will try to finish decisively tomorrow (Saturday) night.

Nietes and Fuentes vowed to knock each other out Saturday in their rematch for the World Boxing Organization light flyweight title, the main event of Pinoy Pride 25 at Mall of Asia Arena.

Both were unhappy with the majority draw in their first tussle on March 2, 2013 in Cebu.

Feeling deprived of a victory that time, Fuentes vowed in yesterday’s final press conference at Bayview Park hotel to stop Nietes, who has reigned in the 108-pound division since 2007 and is chasing Gabriel “Flash” Elorde’s record seven-year title reign.

Irked by the Mexican’s remarks, Nietes retorted that while he’s prepared to go the full 12 rounds, he will gun for the knockout this time.

“I will go for a knockout,” said Nietes, who holds a 32-win, 2-loss slate with 18 knockouts. “I will not let him take the title. We will have to kill each other.”

Fuentes (19-1-1, 10 KOs), the reigning WBO minimum weight champion, echoed that sentiment, saying he underwent high-altitude training to fight Nietes.

The chief support pits Milan Melindo, who drew attention when he claimed that his skills are on the same level as Floyd Mayweather Jr., against Mexican Martin “Diablo” Tecuapetla for the WBO international flyweight title.

Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista comes out of a brief retirement to tangle with Mexican Sergio Villanueva in a featherweight bout.

Legendary Mexican boxer Marco Antonio Barrera accompanied the Mexican fighters along with his brother Jorge and trainer Armando Rivera.

Pinoy Pride 25 is a joint effort of Ala Promotions, headed by Michael Aldeguer, and ABS-CBN Sports. Select bouts will be telecast over ABS-CBN on Sunday.