Nietes to defend crown vs. fellow world champ to face WBO 105 lbs. titlist either in Cebu or Mexico

CEBU, Philippines - Two-division world champion Donnie "Ahas" Nietes will defend his WBO junior flyweight title against WBO minimumweight crown-holder Moises Fuentes of Mexico in either February or March next year, ALA Promotions President Michael P. Aldeguer confirmed to The FREEMAN yesterday.

Aldeguer said nothing has been finalized yet as of the moment, but they are looking at the possibility of bringing the championship bout here in Cebu.

"Yes, Moises Fuentes will be the opponent of Nietes. We have not finalized it yet either in Mexico or Cebu on February or March," said Aldeguer. "It's a mandatory defense for Nietes. Fuentes, the 105 (pounds) world champion, will go up to 108 to challenge Nietes."

The 27-year-old Fuentes is trained and managed by Jorge Barrera Tapia, brother of Mexican boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera.

In an earlier interview with Filipino journalist Quinito Henson of The Philippine Star, Barrera said he would be accompanying Fuentes to Cebu for a February 2 fight date to face Nietes. With only five weeks to go, a later date seems more viable.

The 30-year-old Nietes (31-1-3, 17KOs) of Bacolod City, is rated No. 2 by The Ring at junior flyweight and has held belts at 105 and 108 pounds. He is no stranger to fighting in Mexico, having made three title defenses on Mexican soil, winning all three.

Nietes' career has lacked a defining victory, however, and his last fight came a month ago, when he knocked out a Thai boxer with an 0-1 record.

 Fuentes (16-1, 8KOs), on the other hand, is coming off his biggest victory to date, a fifth round knockout of faded former champion Ivan Calderon in October. He has made two defenses of the crown he won by defeating Raul Garcia by split decision last August.

The lone losses of both fighters have come when their opponents exceeded the weight limit. (FREEMAN)