Nietes in tune-up fight tonight

CEBU, Philippines - Keeping himself active while waiting for his title defense next year,  WBO light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes (30-1, 16KOs) will return to the ring for a tune-up bout against Thailand’s Danai Meendaeng tonight at the Lamberto C. Macias Sports Complex in Dumaguete City.

The two-division world champion will figure in a non-title fight scheduled for 10 rounds against Meendaeng as a part of his preparations for his second title defense possibly against Mexican minimumweight champion Moises Fuentes (16-1, 8KOs) in February here in the Philippines.

“The plan is for Donnie to defend his title here in the Philippines in the main event of Pinoy Pride XVIII,” said ALA Promotions President Michael Aldeguer. “We are looking at February as the date for his fight.”

The WBO has made Fuentes the mandatory challenger for Nietes after the Mexican vacated his WBO 105-pound throne to climb into the light flyweight division.

Fuentes poses threat for Nietes as the Mexican champion was responsible for retiring Puerto Rican superstar Ivan Calderon via fifth round knockout last October 6.

Nietes, for his part, is coming off an impressive unanimous decision victory over the previously undefeated Mexican challenger Felipe Salguero last June 2 at the Resorts World Hotel and Casino in Pasay City.

Before Nietes will take on Meendaeng, former OPBF light welterweight champion Jimrex ‘The Executioner’ Jaca will slug it out against Quezon City’s Jaypee Ignacio.

The rest of the slambang show features Mark Vincent Bernaldez vs. JR Mendoza; Crispin Parba vs. Lyndon Castillo; Steve Ricaborda vs. Marwin Cristota; and Ian Teves vs Jayvee Galea. (FREEMAN)