Nietes to make light flyweight debut

BACOLOD CITY , Philippines  – WBO minimumweight champion Donnie "Ahas" Nietes will open a new chapter in his career as he makes his debut under the light flyweight division against Mexican Armando "Chiquita" Vasquez in the main event of the "Pinoy Pride 5: Battle of Champions" tonight here at the University of St.La Salle (USLS) Coliseum here.

During yesterday's official weigh-in at the SM City-Bacolod,Nietes, who scaled in at 109 lbs., vowed to score a knockout victory against the smaller Vasquez, who tipped the scales at 107 lbs.

"Daku gyud ko og kalipay nga diri na magdula atubangan sa akong mga kababayan," said Nietes. "Tan-awn nako sa round seven or ubos pa ako siya mapatumba," said Nietes.

This will be a testing ground for Nietes as he is groomed to challenge the winner of the April 30 WBO light flyweight championship bout between Jesus Geles and Ramon Garcia Hirales either in July or August.

For his part, Vasquez admitted that Nietes is a strong and famous champion even his country but the 24-year old Mexican said he will make it sure that the ALA boxing star is up for a very difficult and close fight.

"I don’t see any weakness in him (Nietes) but I promised a good fight and it will be difficult for him to fight a boxer with my style," said Vasquez.

Vasquez also considers his experience fighting in the 108 lbs. division as an advantage over Nietes, who is fighting for the first time under the 108-pound class.

"I've been fighting in the 108 pounds for a very long time. This is my natural weight, while this is his (Nietes) first time fighting in my division," added Vasquez.

In the supporting main event of the slambang card jointly presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports, WBO Youth Asia-Pacific welterweight champion Jason Pagara will put his crown on the line against Tanzanian Deo Njiku.

While hard-hitting Villanueva will make his maiden appearance under the wings of ALA as he faces Tanzanian slugger Ramadhani Shauri for the WBO Oriental featherweight diadem.

Also Roli Gasca, on the other hand, will square off against Ngaotawan Sithsaithong of Thailand, while hometown idol Arthur Villanueva will slug it out with Mark Anthony Geraldo of Cagayan De Oro.  (FREEMAN)