Nietes vacates WBO title, seeks lightfly belt

CEBU CITY, Philippines  – Donnie Nietes is moving up in weight, and is eyeing the World Boxing Organization light-flyweight crown being held by Mexico’s Ramon Garcia Hirales.

The 29-year-old Filipino, who belongs to the famed ALA Boxing of Cebu, has relinquished his WBO minimum weight (105 lb) crown in exchange for the title shot.

Michael Aldeguer, who has taken over the reins of ALA Boxing from his father, Tony, said yesterday he already has a verbal agreement with WBO chief Paco Valcarcel.

As part of the plan, the Nietes-Hirales fight should take place by the second week of August in Bacolod City, where Nietes, who loves to carry his pet python to the ring, hails from.

Aldeguer also said there’s a plan to stage the fight at around noontime so Mexican fans will get to see the fight live. Nietes has fought thrice in Mexico, and has won thrice.

“We will probably formalize everything in the next few weeks,” said Aldeguer, adding that he is hoping to meet with television executives soon to discuss the fight coverage.

The Aldeguers are fresh from their latest promotion, “Firepower 6” which had Ray “Boom Boom” Bautista facing Mexico’s Heriberto Ruiz at the Waterfront Hotel as of presstime last night.

Hirales, just a year younger than Nietes, is being promoted by Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions, which has very good ties with ALA Boxing.

The Filipino promoter said Valcarcel has made the assurance that Nietes will get the first crack at the crown which Hirales won by knocking out Colombia’s Jesus Geles in Mexico last April.

Beltran, according to Aldeguer, is very open to the idea of taking Hirales to the Philippines, and face Nietes, who also carries a very impressive ring record of 28 wins and a single loss with 16 knockouts.

Nietes’ only blemish as a fighter came very early in his career when he dropped a split decision to Angky Angkota in Jakarta in 2004, following a 13-0 start as a pro.

Hirales has a record of 16-2 with nine knockouts, and should provide the perfect challenge for Nietes as he bids for his second world title in two different weight classes.

Nietes has won three fights in Mexico, and has proven that he has what it takes to win on foreign soil, in the process also earning the respect of Mexican fight fans.

Dennis Canete of ALA Boxing said he’d seen how the Mexicans have appreciated Nietes’ skills as a boxer, adding that even Mexican fans would stop to have a picture taken with him.

“Even when we’re at the aiport, the airline staff would treat us very well,” said Canete.

Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia has welcomed the plan to host the Nietes fight with open arms.