Given the chance at last to strut his stuff in the United States, Donnie “Ahas” Nietes intends to impress without being careless.
Nietes will stake his World Boxing Organization junior flyweight title against Mexican champion Juan Alejo on Oct. 17, headlining Pinoy Pride 33 at StubHub Center in Carson, California.
Though he has beaten all 14 Mexicans pitted against him so far, Nietes said he needs to be careful against Alejo.
“He likes to go inside and is a good counter-puncher,” said Nietes in Filipino after watching Alejo’s two-round demolition of countryman Erik Ramirez on YouTube. “He has a strong straight and hook.”
“I can’t afford to be complacent,” the 33-year-old Nietes told sportswriters over lunch tendered by ALA Promotions Thursday.
Like Nietes, unbeaten since 2004 with a 36-4, 21 knockouts record, Alejo is also on a roll, beating his last 23 foes, 13 by KO.
Dubbed “Philippines vs the World,” Pinoy Pride 33, ALA Promotions’ first foray in the US in cooperation with ABS-CBN Sports, will also feature brothers Albert and Jason Pagara and Mark Magpayo.
Though the Pagaras’ foes and that of Magpayo have yet to be announced, the trio will be leaving for Los Angeles on Saturday to train at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood.