Nietes, Fuentes vow no draw in rematch

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning WBO light-flyweight champion Donnie Nietes will go for a decisive win against Mexico’s Moises Fuentes when they figure in a rematch on May 10 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Last year, they squared off at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City in a fight that could have gone either way. But Nietes kept the title via a 12-round majority draw.

Nietes yesterday admitted he didn’t do enough to win the first fight but this time he said he trained harder and longer to make sure he leaves no doubt.

“Kulang sa follow-up (I lacked the follow-up),” Nietes told the PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate where he was joined by ALA Promotions vice president Dennis Canete.

This time, Nietes said he will go for the knockout.

“Ina-knockout ko siya pag may time (I will knock him out if there’s an opportunity). Pag may chance, patutumbahin ko siya,” he said.

Nietes, who will turn 32 three days after the fight, is only one of two remaining Filipino world champions in boxing, the other being IBF light-fly king Johnriel Casimero.

The other day, in Monterrey, Mexico, Merlito Sabillo lost his WBO minimumweight title to local boy Francisco Rodriguez via a 10th round TKO.

Sabillo is Nietes’ stablemate at ALA.

Nietes trained in the United States, saying he went through a rigid strength and conditioning program. He said he sparred with the likes of Matthew Villanueva and Giovanni Segura. He will wrap up his training in Cebu.

Canete, who arrived from the Sabillo fight in Mexico yesterday morning, said Nietes is putting everything on the line against Fuentes.

“Every rematch is dangerous. Siyempre, na-gauge ka na nung opponent mo and Moises Fuentes is a great fighter. So it’s going to be tough,” he said.

“This is going to be a tough fight for Donnie. It’s risky but that’s boxing. This time, it won’t be a draw,” Canete added.