Nietes to challenge WBO champ

CEBU, Philippines - The clock is ticking for what is probably the biggest boxing event that will happen this year in the Philippines as ALA Promotions launched the countdown for the much-awaited WBO flyweight title bout between ALA ring star Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and defending Mexican champion Ramon “Principe” Garcia Hirales for “Pinoy Pride 9” this October 8 at the University of St.La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City.

“I think this is very emotional for us because at first this fight was unreachable but now it's here,” said ALA Promotions CEO Michael Aldeguer during a press conference the other night at Harold's Hotel.

 “It was so difficult because we are bringing not only a high-caliber Mexican fighter but a world champion in Hirales, and we did go up against the biggest boxing promotion in Mexico that is Zanfer Promotions that was also asking for this fight to happen in Mexico.”

 The former janitor turned champion Nietes, who vacated his WBO minimumweight title to fulfill a dream of becoming a two-division world champion,is also ecstatic with his upcoming world title shot that will happen in his hometown in Bacolod.

 “Sobra sa kalipay, natuman gyud akong pangandoy ug ako gyud nga buhaton ang tanan aron makuha ang laing world title,” said the Murcia-native Nietes.

 Nietes, together with his trainer Edito Villamor and stablemate AJ “Bazooka” Banal, flew to Bacolod yesterday where they will establish a training camp in preparation for there upcoming match.

 Banal gets a chance to once again prove himself worthy of a rematch against former tormentor Panamanian Rafael “El Torito” Concepcion as he takes on tough Mexican champion Mario “Maca” Briones, who is undefeated in 20 fights spiked with 14KOs.

 After his disappointing bout against Canadian Tyson Cave, Banal will try to score a convincing win this time against Briones in their WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight championship match.

 “We felt he (Banal) had to go through this fight against a tough opponent. If he shows well then Concepcion will be next,” said Aldeguer. “We have started the talks with Concepcion’s camp and the Panamanian is willing to face AJ again.”

 Also seeing action in the undercard are two Negrense in Arthur "El Matador" Villanueva and Merlito "D' Tiger" Sabillo.

The 22-year-old Villanueva will go up against a Kenyan foe, while Sabillo guns for the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) minimumweight crown against Tejares Singwancha of Baguio City. (FREEMAN)