Nietes has new plan vs younger foe

MANILA, Philippines - Reigning WBO light-flyweight champion Donnie Nietes has a game plan of his own and he will use it against Moises Fuentes tonight at the MOA Arena.

On the eve of the fight, the long-reigning Filipino champion has been warned by his handlers not to fall into a deadly trap prepared by the hungry Mexican challenger.

Fuentes at 24 is seven years younger than Nietes. He also thinks he’s stronger and dared the champion to come out and fight, face-to-face, toe-to-toe.

It’s not Nietes’ cup of tea.

“Why should I fight his style when I have my own style?” Nietes said after yesterday’s official weigh-in where both fighters came in at exactly 108 lb.

After the weigh-in at the Mall of Asia, Nietes occupied a table in an alley overlooking Manila Bay, and loaded up on rice congee, fresh fruits and juice.

The Mexicans went straight to the nearest Italianni’s branch.

Nietes is just months away from surpassing the record of the great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde as the longest-reigning Filipino boxing champion.

If he wins tonight and stays unbeaten until Dec. 31 this year, Nietes will break Elorde’s seven-year-and-three-month reign as world champion.  

Nietes is just one of only two remaining Pinoy champions, the other being WBO welterweight king and former pound-for-pound champion Manny Pacquiao.

“It doesn’t pressure me. I’m focused on the fight,” said Nietes.

Nietes said he would rather box than slug it out. He said he trained as hard as he could.

“To go 12 rounds is how we prepared for this fight. But if there’s an opportunity for the knockout we will take it. I also want to knock him out.  I will try,” said Nietes.

The native of Cebu admitted that the first fight ended in a draw because he failed to follow up on his punches.

“That’s where I fell short,” he said.

Fuentes, on the other hand, said Nietes chose to run in the closing rounds when he felt he had sealed the decision. But the Mexican finished strong.

“I have more to show and I will demonstrate that in the fight,” said Fuentes through an interpreter.

Fuentes vowed to bring the title back to Mexico.

“Nietes has had his time. It’s the time for a new generation. I just hope he comes to fight. If he fights then it will be exciting for the fans,” Fuentes added.

Nietes certainly has other things in mind.