Nietes to face stronger, more intelligent Fuentes

PASAY CITY , Philippines  â€” Former Mexican world champion Moises ‘Moi’ Fuentes (19-1-1, 19KOs) promised to be a different fighter as he again tries to dethrone ALA Boxing Gym standout Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes (31-1-1, 18KOs) in the main event of Pinoy Pride XXV dubbed as "The Rematch for Glory" this Saturday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena here.

Fuentes will challenge Nietes for the WBO light flyweight title plus a chance to take the vacant The Ring Magazine lineal light flyweight belt that is also at stake in their 12-round rumble.

“Nietes will face a stronger, more intelligent fighter different from the one he faced last year,” said Fuentes during a press conference yesterday at Bayview Hotel Manila.

Fuentes first fought the Filipino champion in an epic 12-round slugfest that resulted in a majority draw on March 13 last year at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

The 28-year-old Fuentes believes that he could have taken the belt away from Nietes, even blaming the Filipino warrior for refusing to engage in an all-out war against him during their first meeting.

“I agree with the decision in our first fight, but I blame him (Nietes) for that result,” the Mexican brawler said. “He ran away from me, he didn't fight like a champion but not this time because I’m going to chase him until I catch him.”

“This is the fight of my life. The title is going to Mexico, but winning the championship is only second to my goal because what I really want is to finally beat Nietes convincingly,” added Fuentes.

 For his part, Mexican boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera, who is here to give full support to his boxer, warned Nietes as he knows how determined Fuentes is in snatching his belt.

“I can see in his (Fuentes) eyes how hungry he is in winning,” said Barrera. I can say that Fuentes is 100% better than the last time he fought Nietes," said Barrera. “This will be a very good fight but for me, Fuentes will win because he has now become a man and not anymore a boy.”

In the supporting bouts, two ALA Boxing Gym stars in one-time world title challenger Milan ‘El Metodico’ Melindo (30-1, 12KOs) and the comebacking Rey ‘Boom-Boom’ Bautista (34-3, 25KOs) will face off with separate Mexican foes.

Melindo will go up against Martin ‘Diablo’ Tecuapetla (11-5, 8KOs), while Bautista will be tested by Sergio ‘El Cuate’ Villanueva (26-3, 13KOs).  (FREEMAN)