Donnie Nietes, the longest reigning Filipino world boxing champion, left for California yesterday to continue his preparations for the “Philippines vs the World” card slated Oct. 17 at StubHub Center in Carson City.
Fighting in the United States for the first time, Nietes will stake his World Boxing Organization junior flyweight crown against Mexican Juan Alejo in the headliner of Pinoy Pride 33.
The 33-year-old Nietes, accompanied by trainer Edmund Villamor, will hook up with fellow ALA standouts Albert Pagara and older brother Jason and Mark Magsayo.
The Pagaras and Magsayo have been training for three weeks at the famed Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in Hollywood under the guidance of Edito Villamor.
The departure of Nietes (36-4, 21 KOs) got delayed as his US working visa was only released Tuesday.
It poses no real concern, however, as Nietes trained earnestly in Cebu City and has sparred for 80 rounds in his bid to foil Alejo (21-3, 13 KOs) and prolong his seven-year reign in the 108-pound division.
The unbeaten Albert Pagara (24-0, 17KOs) will battle Nicaraguan knockout artist William Gonzales (25-5, 23 KOs) for the WBO international junior featherweight title.
Magsayo (11-0, 9KOs) will defend his IBF Youth feather title against Mexican Yardley Suarez (13-0, 8KOs).
Jason Pagara (36-2, 22KOs) will test Nicaraguan Santos Benavides (25-7-2, 19KOs) in a junior welterweight encounter. Roy Luarca