Latinos in the Snake pit

CEBU, Philippines - Silent, calculating, and unceremonious, a snake will suddenly deal his fatal strike for a quiet but vicious victory.

With his ring name “Ahas”, the cautious but lethal warrior Donnie Nietes of the ALA Boxing Gym could not have a more fitting alias.

Prophetically, Nietes derived his apt title from his humble beginnings as utility boy for ALA Gym, whose responsibilities included cleaning the snake pit. He was the only employee with the bravery enough to carry out the task.

That courage and perseverance has followed him into the ring. After capturing the WBO minimumweight title in 2007, Nietes moved up to light flyweight where he once again seized the WBO title.

If he manages to defend his title for just one more year, he will surpass the late Gabriel “Flash” Elorde’s record for the longest-reigning champion in the history of Philippine boxing.

With a record of 31-4, spiked with 17 knockouts, Nietes has meticulously out-boxed each world title hopeful, including the able-bodied Mexican contenders Manuel Vargas, Mario Rodriguez and Felipe Salguero.

Most recently, he fought one of Mexico's finest in Moises Fuentes that ended in an unsatisfying majority draw.

But Nietes' isn't done playing with Mexican fire yet. In his upcoming bout, Nietes will defend his world title for the third time against veteran pugilist Sammy Gutiérrez (33-9-2, 23 KOs) in the highly-anticipated event, PINOY PRIDE XXIII: “Filipinos Kontra Latinos”.

The fight card also features the WBO Minimumweight unification match between Merlito Sabillo who will battle undefeated Nicaraguan Carlos Buitrago, while former world title challenger Milan Melindo will face Mexican Jose Alfredo Rodriguez for the WBO International flyweight title.(PR) (FREEMAN)