Nietes fight to break Phl-Mexico tie

CEBU, Philippines - The Mexicans initially had it and were the first to cheer as their national pride Juan Manuel Marquez shocked the boxing world with a devastating knockout win over Filipino sports icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao in November last year in Las Vegas.

In an epic war that needed four battles to be resolved, Marquez’s sinister “dynamite” of a right hand with a second left in round six knocked out Pacquiao cold, to the horror of Pinoy fans.

This closure, at least to the Mexicans, ended a stigma that has hounded them for more than a decade. The riddle that was Pacquiao, it seems, is over.

Then it was the Filipinos’ turn to celebrate when WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire easily destroyed Mexico’s prized warrior Jorge “Travieso” Arce.               

A devastating left hook from Donaire dropped Arce flat on his back in the fourth round and ultimately sealed the fate of the fight. As if to add prominence to the victory, the Mexican Arce announced his retirement in the ring after the bout.

An  ominous deadlock is now reached between boxing powerhouses Philippines and Mexico.

Thus, the keenly-awaited "Pinoy Pride XVIII:World Champion vs. World Champion" slated on March 2 at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino sets the stage for a momentous and decisive tie-breaker.

And that tedious task lies at the hands of WBO light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes (31-1-3, 17KOs), who will defend his belt against Mexico’s Moises “Moi” Fuentes (16-1, 8KOs) in the main event of the blockbuster card co-presented by ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN Sports.

The soft spoken Nietes, already has his share of Mexican ire after crushing three Mexican hopefuls and defending his title three times on Mexican soil.

The charged-up Fuentes, on the other hand, is determined to “return” the favor by personally coming to the Philippines to avenge his fallen compatriots.

In fact, no less than Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera is backing up the Fuentes team, coming personally to the Queen City of the South to show support. 

As the drama is unfolding, the momentum building and the personalities lining up, the ultimate question now tantalizingly hangs over the horizon on who will come out blaring the victory trumpet in the historic clash of world champions.

Two explosive bouts have been lined up prior to the Nietes-Fuentes duel featuring the promising WBO Asia-Pacific super bantamweight titlist Genesis “Azukal” Servania and the resurgent Jimrex “Executioner” Jaca, who seek to extend his eight-fight winning streak.

Servania (19-0, 6KOs) will stake his title and unbeaten record against Indonesian 'Time Bomb' Angky Angkota (26-8, 14KOs), while the resurgent Jaca (30-6-3, 20KOs) will slug it out with Rachamongkol Sor Pleonchit (13-4, 5KOs) of Thailand's world-renowned Kokiet Gym.

Tickets are priced at P250 for balcony, P350 for ballroom, P500 for golden seats, P1,250 for VIP 4th row, P1,500 for VIP 3rd row, P2,000 for VIP 2nd row, P3,000 for VIP first row, and P4,000 for Platinum VIP.

For reservations and other inquiries, one may contact 505-9513, 0923-1072890, 0915-8690905, 0927-5612059 or visit www.alaboxing.com.--EBV from PR (FREEMAN)