Nietes out to display new power

MANILA, Philippines - After working over three months in the gym to build up power in both fists, WBO lightflyweight champion Donnie (Ahas) Nietes is ready to showcase his lethal form in defending his crown against Mexican challenger Felipe Salguero in a 12-round bout at the 1,500-seat Newport Performing Arts Theater of the Resorts World Manila tonight.

Nietes and Salguero tipped the scales at the lighflyweight limit of 108 pounds in yesterday morning’s weigh-in at the Robinson’s Galleria.

In the undercard, two unbeaten Filipino contenders face separate opponents. Milan Melindo of Cagayan de Oro stakes his WBO International flyweight crown against Colombia’s Jesus Geles while Genesis Servania of Bacolod City takes on Mexico’s Genaro Garcia for the vacant WBC International Silver superbantamweight diadem.

Melindo checked in at the flyweight limit of 112 pounds but Geles, a former interim WBO lightflyweight titleholder, scaled 115 and declined the two-hour offer to trim down. Melindo agreed to fight the overweight Geles provided the Colombian uses 10 ounce gloves instead of the usual eight ouncers. Servania and Garcia both weighed in at the superbantamweight limit of 122. Melindo’s record is 26-0, with 10 KOs, while Servania’s mark is 17-0, with 5 KOs.

“This is one of the biggest shows we’ve put together as it is a triple championship card featuring Filipinos against world-rated opponents and a former world champion (Geles),” said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer. “With Donnie, we always want to take risks for the reason that we know what he is capable of doing. Not everyone knows that Donnie is the first Filipino world champion to defend his title in Mexico thrice against Mexicans just to show that he is willing to fight anyone, anywhere.”

Aldeguer said the defense against Salguero is optional but he chose a top contender just the same as challenger. “It’s supposed to be a voluntary defense but we wanted someone in the top 10 and Salguero was the guy who stepped up as he is rated No. 7 by the WBO and IBF,” said Aldeguer. “It’s not easy to go after the big names as they know Donnie’s reputation and in the business side, it takes time to arrange unification world title fights.”

Nietes said he’s dedicating the fight to his country, family, Aldeguer and his father Tony and trainer Edito Villamor who was twice repulsed in world title bids. “This is for all my countrymen,” said Nietes. “I’ve trained hard for Salguero. I’m confident I can beat him by knockout or decision. My plan is to make two or three more title defenses then move up in weight. I’m now 30 but I think I can fight until I’m 35 or if I still can win, until I’m 40. I leave it to Sir ALA and Sir Michael to decide what is best for me. My dream is to be able to defend my title around the world I’m excited to fight in Japan. I don’t care if it’s risky to fight in places where I might lose by a hometown decision. I’m confident in what I can do. I want to show the world I’m not scared of fighting anyone, anywhere, anytime.”

The referee for the Nietes defense is Californian Raul Caiz Sr. who was the third man in the ring when the Murcia, Negros Occidental, fighter outpointed Mario Rodriguez to retain his WBO minimumweight title in Sinaloa, Mexico, two years ago. Caiz was also the referee when Nonito Donaire halted Jose Luis Cardenas in Santa Ynez, California, in 2006 and when Z Gorres stopped Eric Ortiz in Sacramento a year later. Caiz has been a referee since 1986 and has worked in fights all over the world, including Brazil, Austria, Puerto Rico, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Argentina, England, Germany, Panama, France and Mexico, involving fighters like Kostya Tszyu, Evander Holyfield, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar de la Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Roy Jones, Naseem Hamed, Fernando Montiel and Timothy Bradley.

The judges for the fight will be Indonesia’s Mohammad Rois, Thailand’s Sawaeng Taweekoon and Filipino Salven Lagumbay.

Nietes said he plans to get married to his long-time girlfriend Joy, with whom he has a nine-month-old daughter Dionne Nicole, possibly next year when he will have deposited more money in the bank. An Evangelical Christian related to the Salvation Army, Nietes lives with Joy, their daughter and sister Joann in a P800,000 two-bedroom bungalow in Cebu about a 15-minute drive from the ALA gym. The house is fully paid for with Nietes’ ring earnings. The middle of three children, Nietes also put up a piggery for his parents, Josue, a commercial photographer, and Renella to manage in Murcia and a rice and feeds store in Bacolod.

Nietes, who reigned as WBO minimumweight champion for four years, said it was an honor to be named by the late Bert Randolph Sugar and trainer Teddy Atlas as one of the five greatest 105-pound fighters ever. “I was very happy to find out I was in their list of top five,” said Nietes. “The recognition isn’t for myself but for our country.” Three of his four successful title defenses as WBO 105-pound champion were over Mexicans Rodriguez, Manuel Vargas and Erik Ramirez in Mexico.

Nietes said his ring idol is stablemate Melindo, a challenger-in-waiting for a title shot. Another idol is Mexican Ricardo Lopez. “I sparred with Milan in preparing for Salguero,” he said. “He’s very skilled. He has a lot of moves. And he’s relaxed when he fights. He doesn’t feel any pressure. Milan is world-class and I predict he will become a world champion soon.”

 Melindo will have his hands full against the heavier Geles, nicknamed “El Cuchillo” (The Knife), who has a 13-2-1 record, with 5 KOs, as the Colombian will enjoy a big advantage in weight. Servania was only two years old when Garcia, 34, turned pro in 1994. Garcia has figured in four world title bouts and in 29 more fights than his 20-year-old opponent.