Nietes to defend title against tough Mexican

CEBU, Philippines – Two-division world champion Donnie "Ahas" Nietes (33-1, 19KOs) will defend his WBO light flyweight title against tough Mexican challenger Carlos ‘Chapito’ Velarde (26-3, 14KOs) to headline the 28th installment of the Pinoy Pride series on November 15 at the Pacific grand ballroom of the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

The 32-year-old Nietes is chasing after history as the longest reigning world boxing champion currently held the late Cebuano great Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, who held the world junior welterweight title for seven years and three months.

“He (Velarde) hasn’t signed the contract yet but we negotiated with Zanfer Promotions of Mexico and he will be the one who will be challenging Donnie,” said ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer.

Velarde became a former world title challenger when he fought Japanese Ryo Miyazaki for the WBA minimumweight title on August, last year but lost via fifth round technical knockout in Osaka, Japan.

After that, Velarde went into a three-fight winning streak. In his previous match, Velarde defeated his countrymen Jose Argumedo to claim the vacant IBF Latino minimumweight title.

“Velarde is ranked No. 10 in the WBO and we all know that anyone who is in the top ten can be a threat,” said Aldeguer. “He will pose danger because he will fight Donnie with nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

With this, ALA Boxing Gym is not taking any chances and decided to once again get the service of American strength and conditioning trainer Nick Curson to work with Nietes.

Nietes, on the other hand will make his fifth title defense in the light flyweight division after his impressive ninth round TKO win over Mexican rival Moises Fuentes in their rematch last May 10 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

Meanwhile, Aldeguer also announced that undefeated ‘Prince’ Albert Pagara will also be defending his IBF Intercontinental super bantamweight belt against mandatory challenger Raul Hirales of Mexico on the same card. (FREEMAN)