Nietes, Viloria go for world crowns

FILE PHOTO – Donnie Nietes. Photo by Roy Luarca

They fed off each other while training together. Now, Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria will tackle separate rivals to show their gains from the novel set-up in SuperFly 2.

Nietes, the longest reigning Filipino world champion of all-time at 10 years and 8 months, will dangle his International Boxing Federation flyweight title for the first time against Juan Carlos Reveco of Argentina on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) at The Forum in Inglewood, California.

Viloria, a full-blooded Filipino born and raised in Hawaii, on the other hand, will tangle with unbeaten Artem Dalakian of Ukraine for the vacant World Boxing Association flyweight crown.

For nearly a month, thrice a week, for four rounds each time, the 35-year-old Nietes, and Viloria, 37, sparred with each other at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Hollywood, learning from their respective strengths and weaknesses.

According to Marvin Somodio, who serves as Roach’s chief assistant and Viloria’s head trainer for the Dalakian bout, Viloria packs the stronger punch while Nietes is a superb technical fighter.