Pinoy Pride pits Nietes, Sabillo vs tough Latinos

MANILA, Philippines - A couple of word title fights featuring Filipino champions Donnie Nietes and Merlito Sabillo will headline Pinoy Pride 23 at the historic Araneta Coliseum on Nov. 30.

This boxing card presented by ALA Promotions of Cebu and ABS-CBN is like no other.

“This is the biggest of all Pinoy Pride presentations. This will be the biggest event we’ve ever had,” said ALA vice president Dennis Caneta yesterday.

The card dubbed “Filipinos Kontra Latinos” will be the first double world-title presentation for Pinoy Pride.

Nietes, the former WBO minimumweight champion, will defend his WBO light-flyweight crown for the third time against Carlos Buitrago of Nicaragua.

A world champion since 2007, Nietes is on course to surpassing the late Gabriel “Flash” Elorde’s record as the longest reigning Pinoy world champion for seven years.

Sabillo, now the WBO minimumweight champion, will defend his title for the second time, following a ninth-round stoppage of Colombia’s Jorlie Estrada last July.

Three of the best ALA fighters will also be in the card, making it a star-studded affair for Filipino boxing fans to witness. The deals with their opponents are still being finalized.