Nietes eyes knockout win over Indon foe

ALA Stable standout Donnie "The Snakeman" Nietes vowed to flatten Indonesian Heri Amol within six rounds when they clash in a 12-round war for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific minimumweight title tonight at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

"Let's just wait and see, but mostly likely I'm going to knock him out either in the fifth or sixth round," boldly declared Nietes during yesterday's official weigh-in and press conference at the plush Marco Polo Plaza.

"I'm going to give my very best to put up a performance that the spectators will surely enjoy," added Nietes, who is five inches taller than the Indonesian visitor.

Based on the physical appearance, Nietes is far superior than the Indonesian, but Amol's trainer Antonio Josef Santo Widijana forewarned that his ward is "a fighter who will fight until death."

Nietes, who will shoot vie for a major title for the first time in his career, sports a record of 18-1-3(10KOs), while Amol carries a decent 14-3-2 ledger with 4KOs as released by the Indonesian Professional Boxing Commission (IPBF). Boxrec.com listed Amol's record at 19-4-2(6KOs).

Nietes and Amol have one thing in common - they both fought against former Indonesian 105 lbs. champion Martin Polii.

Nietes scored a seventh round stoppage of Polii two years ago at the RCTI Studio in Jakarta. In stark contrast, Amol lost by eight-round unanimous decision to the same opponent in his previous bout last May 26 at the Senayan Indoor Tennis Stadium.

Amol once held the Indonesian minimumweight crown with a 12th round KO of Bayu Anggoro on November 18, 2004. His reign was good for only six months as he was dethroned by Rino Ukru via unanimous verdict in June 2005.

In the undercards of the SGG Sports Promotions-presented slugfest that will be televised by Solar Sports as part of its "Stars of the Future" boxing series, two upcoming ALA ring gladiatos in Milan "Milenyo" Milendo (7-0, 2KOs) and Along "Boholano Bulldog" Denoy (11-6, 5KOs) will show off their stuff against separate foes in a pair of 10-rounder matches.

Milendo, coming off a masterful third round knockout of Ricardo Albia last October 21 in Mandaue, clashes with Rommel Bongon of Tisajo Stable of Manila, while Denoy takes up Aljun Salogaol of Cebu's Jaca Stable.

A special attraction pits ALA's newest kid on the block Joseph Omanz against Rey Las Piñas of Butuan City.

The rest of the bouts feature Leon Maratas vs. Lotlot Gaviola, Jessie Albaracin vs. Edmund Velayo, Nic Banal vs. Brix "Bomb" Ray, Weng Haya vs. Alfredo Balabat and Franklin Albia vs. Romano Gelig.