Nietes set to defend WBO title vs Alejo in US debut

CEBU, Philippines - It’s official.

Two-division world champion Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes (36-1-4, 21KOs) of Cebu’s fabled ALA Boxing Gym will defend his WBO light flyweight title against Mexican champion Juan 'Pinky' Alejo (21-3, 13KOs) in the main event of the first ever Pinoy Pride boxing show in the United States set for October 17 at the StubHub Center in Carson City, California.

“We wanted someone from the top 10 and he’s rated No.8. Alejo has not lost since December 2009 so it should be an interesting fight,” said ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer.

After being knocked out by Jesus Limones on December 12, 2009, Alejo racked up an amazing 21-fight winning streak. He snatched the Mexican light flyweight belt with an 11th round stoppage of Jose Guadalupe Martinez on August 20, 2014 and won by split decision over Jose Rivas in his last bout three months ago.

Interestingly, Alejo defeated Erik Ramirez twice via second round TKO in 2013. Ramirez was the same Mexican boxer who challenged the then WBO minimumweight champion Nietes and lost by unanimous decision in his hometown of Oaxaca, Mexico on February 28, 2009.

It's truly an exciting match-up as the 32-year-old Nietes has not also dropped a single fight for 11 years now. He is on a hot roll after snaring the WBO 105-pound crown with a 12-round shutout decision over the previously unbeaten Thai champ Pornsawan Porpramook on September 30, 2007 at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino, making him the longest reigning Filipino world boxing champion.

That spectacular streak was further highlighted when the pride of Murcia, Negros Occidental clinched the WBO light flyweight belt that made him one of the only eight Filipino fighters to claim two world titles in different weight classes. He previously defend his throne with a 12-round unanimous verdict over Mexican Francisco Rodriguez, Jr. last July 11 at the Watefront Hotel.

Aside from Nietes, celebrated brothers ‘Prince’ Albert and Jason ‘El Niño’ Pagara and rising ALA star Mark ‘Magnifico” Magsayo will also see action in the maiden venture of ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN on US soil billed as the “Pinoy Pride 33:Filipinos Contra Latinos".

They will all leave for the US in the second week of September to continue their rigid training regimen at the Wild Card Gym of Freddie Roach in Los Angeles. (FREEMAN)