DONNIE “Ahas” Nietes won’t rush in and try to chop down Mexican Edgar Sosa as soon as the bell rings for their battle for the World Boxing Organization inter-continental flyweight crown on Sept. 24 at StubHub Center in Carson, California.
The longest reigning Filipino world champion will be patient, methodical in his first crack at the 112-pound division.
“Dahan-dahan lang (I’ll do it slowly),” Nietes told sportswriters yesterday on the strategy he’s going to adapt against the former world champion in the headliner of Pinoy Pride 38: Philippines vs Mexico.
While familiar with his opponent’s fighting style, having watched several video tapes of Sosa’s fights, including those against Rodel Mayol and Brian Viloria, Nietes said he can’t afford to be complacent.
“Magaling at malakas (He’s good and strong),” said Nietes, who’ll be leaving for the US Saturday with his coach Edmund Villamor.
Accompanying them are the other prime prospects of Ala boxing stable, Mark Magsayo and “King” Arthur Villanueva, both of whom are seeing action in the fight card jointly undertaken by ALA International, ABS-CBN Sports and The Filipino Channel.
Nietes (38 wins, 22 by knockout, one loss and four draws) has been training since June with emphasis on enhancing his power, improving his timing, and increasing his speed.
Fact is, Nietes has been sparring with bigger guys like Villanueva, a bantamweight, and Jonas Sultan, a super flyweight.
Nietes intends to impress as he’d been promised by ALA president and CEO Mike Aldeguer a crack at WBO and World Boxing Association flyweight king Juan Francisco Estrada (33-2, 24 KOs) if he gets past Sosa (52, 30 KOs-9).