Nietes to defend crown vs Mexican power-hitter

CEBU, Philippines – Two-division world champion Donnie "Ahas" Nietes (34-1, 20KOs) is in for another tough test as he is set to defend his WBO light flyweight title against Mexican knockout artist Luis "Gallo" Ceja (26-5, 21KOs) in the main event of Pinoy Pride 30 on March 28 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

"We haven't seen tapes of his (Ceja) fights yet but I heard that he is a hard-hitter and of course, you can never underestimate a Mexican boxer," said ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor. "Donnie has started training last month because we are planning to have a three-month camp for this fight so we can expect a strong and very well-conditioned Nietes," he added.

For his part, Nietes, who just surpassed the record of the late Gabriel ‘Flash’ Elorde as the longest reigning Filipino world boxing champion, is aware that Ceja poses a major threat to his reign that is why is going through a hard training at the ALA Gym.

"This is another big fight for me because aside from defending my title, this is also a chance for me to show what I've got before my countrymen," said the 32-year-old Nietes.

Nietes must be extra cautious though as Ceja, a former WBC International light flyweight champion, is a hard-puncher who boasts of a 82 percent knockout rate. Only five of Ceja's 26 victims made it to the final bell against him.

Ceja won his last two fights, including a second round TKO of his fellow countrymen Eduardo Munoz in April last year at the Foro Polanco in Mexico City.

Meanwhile, Nietes will co-headline the slambang card presented by ALA Promotions International and ABS-CBN Sports with Nonito 'The Filipino' Flash Donaire in what could be the country's biggest sports event of the year, so far.

The erstwhile five-division world champion willvie for the vacant North American Boxing Federation super bantamweight crown against a still undetermined opponent.

Nietes seeks to redeem himself after losing his WBA featherweight title via sixth round KO against Nicholas Walters four months ago in California. (FREEMAN)