Mexican pug taking Nietes seriously

MANILA, Philippines—Mexcian World Boxing Organization light flyweight champion Ramon Garcia is going full steam in his title defense against Filipino Donnie Nietes on October 8.

Garcia and his training team arrived in the country two weeks earlier than expected for his 12-round showdown with Nietes at the University of St. La Salle Stadium in Bacolod City.

Accompanied by manager Edrulfo Castillo, Garcia came over last week and currently stays at the Diamond Suites and Residences as he does the final phase of his training in Cebu City.

The 29-year-old Mexican from La Paz Baja, California Sur, wasn’t scheduled to arrive in the country until next week, according to Chad Canares, media and public relations officer of ALA Promotions, which is putting up the event dubbed “Pinoy Pride 9: World Championship” in partnership with giant network ABS-CBN.

“That’s how seriously he’s taking this title fight against Donnie,” said Canares.

Nietes, bidding to win a second world crown, has been in Bacolod since September 16, where he sets up the remaining weeks of his camp training alongside fellow ALA spearhead AJ Banal and Arthur Villanueva, both of whom are seeing in the undercard of the boxing card.

Sporting a 28-1 win-loss record, including 16 KOs, Nietes, also 29, reigned as WBO minimum weight champion for three years, a stretch that saw him defend the title four times.