Team Nietes asks fans to wear purple & black

CEBU, Philippines - Facing probably the biggest challenge of his career so far, Donnie “Ahas” Nietes is asking for all the support that he can get from his countrymen as he tries to capture his second world title in different division against WBO light flyweight champion Ramon “Principe” Hirales Garcia of Mexico.

To show their support, Team Nietes encouraged fans to wear their purple and black attire on fight night this October 8 at the University of St. La Salle Stadium in Bacolod City.

Former minimumweight champion Nietes, who carved a history of title defenses in enemy territory, is moving up in the scales in his hope of becoming one of the few Filipino boxers, who will hold world championship belts in different divisions.

 Defeating Garcia will put Nietes in the record books of Philippine boxing as one of the two-division world champions joining the late Eleuterio Zapanta, Luisito Espinosa, brothers Gerry and Dodie Boy Peñalosa Sr. And current bantamweight king Nonito Donaire Jr.

 Meanwhile in another development, World Boxing Organization president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel has appointed Robert Byrd as referee in the Garcia-Nietes fight replacing Joe Cortez.

 In a report at Philboxing.com, Varcarcel decision came after the huge criticism received by Cortez after his questioned performance in the recent Floyd Mayweather Jr –Victor Ortiz title fight in Las Vegas last September 17.

 Tickets to the first-ever world championship in Bacolod City have been out in the market for less than a week.

 Fans may get their tickets to Pinoy Pride 9: WBO World lightflyweight championship in the following establishments in Bacolod City: ABS-CBN Bacolod, Skycable Bacolod,

University of St. La Salle, SM City Bacolod, L’ Fishers Hotel, Palmas del Mar Resort Bacolod, Bascon Hotel and Cafe, 1 on 1 Boxing Gym, NABA Gym, Bacolod Pavillion Hotel, and Eastview Hotel.

 Tickets are priced at PHP 3,000 for VIP 1st row, PHP 2,000 for VIP 2nd row, PHP 1,500 for VIP 3rd row, PHP 1,000 for VIP 4th row, Gold Seats at PHP 500, Lower Box at PHP 350, and Upper Box at PHP 150. (FREEMAN)