Himself speaking, Tony Aldeguer, godfather of the famous ALA Promotions International, refused to promise fireworks in tonight’s “Pinoy Pride 40: Domination” at Waterfront in Cebu City.
“All I can assure you is that (Donnie) Nietes will make the weight with no problem,” the respected Cebu sportsman said, without making any allusion to the disastrous title loss of the overweight Marlon Tapales in Osaka last Sunday.
However, the 34-year-old Nietes, who goes for a third world division title, failed to conceal his plans for a big knockout in the main bout against Thai Komgrich Nantapech, whom he faces for the vacant IBF flyweight throne.
There will be a total of six bouts, starting at 6 p.m.
Nietes, star of Ala Stable who made a mark as the longest reigning Filipino world champion, had no choice but counter with a KO threat after his Thai foe called him an old man.
“Yes, I may be old, but my body is getting young,” Nietes told philboxing.com big boss Dong Secuya the other day.
In fact, Nietes said he feels grand, strongest at 112 pounds (lb), which he now considers his natural division. He had ruled as WBO minimum weight (105 lb) and WBO light flyweight (108 lb) champion.
Ready and raring to crowd Nietes at center stage is the unbeaten Marc Magsayo (15-0), who fights Tanzanian journeyman Issa Nampepeche in a ten-round tune-up match.
While Nietes promises to be a complete flyweight package, handlers of Magsayo, reigning WBO international featherweight titlist, have had to clarify that the phenomenal Boholano strongboy was more of a work in progress.
It would indeed be great to savor Nietes work his way to the IBF flyweight crown with his smooth, crafty fighting style. On the other hand, Magsayo, known for his explosive but often reckless style, should be able to thrill with his firepower.
Nietes, this early, has expressed the wish to go for titles in other organizations, including that of WBO flyweight champion Shou Ziming and WBC flyweight king Juan Hernandez.
In the case of Magsayo, what remains to be seen is whether or not he has improved from his old reckless self, which saw him racking 15 wins, 11 by knockout, despite his crude and mindless defense.