Nietes chases after history with an all-star cast in tow

CEBU, Philippines - WBO light flyweight champion Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes chases after history with an all-star cast in tow headlining the "Pinoy Pride 28:History in the Making" fightcard on November 15 at the Waterfront-Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

Aside from defending his WBO light flyweight title against Mexican toughie Carlos 'Chapito' Velarde, Nietes is also aiming to shatter the record of the late Cebuano great Gabriel "Flash" Elorde as the longest reigning Filipino world boxing champion. Elorde held the world junior welterweight title for seven years and three months.

It's now seven years and four days, to be exact, since Nietes ascended the WBO minimumweight throne with a 12-round unanimous decision victory over Thai Pornsawan Porpramook also at the Waterfront Hotel. Hence, Nietes is just three months away of of breaking of Elorde's record and he could easily achieve that monumental feat is he soundly gets past Velarde.

In an effort to make Nietes' historic bid more special and meaningful, ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael P. Aldeguer said in a press conference yesterday at Rajah Park Hotel that they have assembled a star-studded cast that promises to be the biggest and grandest show in the chronicles of Cebu boxing.

The surefire blockbuster event also features WBO Intecontinental flyweight champion Milan "El Metodico" Melindo, the undefeated IBF Intercontinental super bamtamweight champion "Prince" Albert Pagara,  former WBO minimumweight titlist Merlito 'Tiger" Sabillo, former two-time world challenger and WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion AJ "Bazooka' Banal, and rising super bantamweight star Mark "Magnifico" Magsayo.

Melindo (31-1, 12KOs) is lined up for an IBF title eliminator against Saul Juarez, while Pagara (21-0, 15KOs) will risk his WBO belt against mandatory challenger Raul Hirales. Nothing is definite yet with regards to the opponents of Sabillo, Banal, and Magsayo, who is groomed as the next big thing from the fabled ALA Stable.

"We want to make something unique for Cebu and Philippine boxing as well that is why we assembled this all-star cast," said Aldeguer. "This could be the biggest card we ever did. The one that comes close to this is when we put up the Z Gorres vs. Fernando Montiel in 2007 but it you look at the names behind this card, this is the biggest we ever had."

Aldeguer admitted that they initially thought of staging the event abroad, specifically in Dubai, but eventually they decided to hold it here in reverence to the birthplace of the highly-successful Pinoy Pride series.

"We actually entertain the idea of holding it in Dubai, but we decided to have it here in Cebu because this is where it all started. This is the moment Nietes had been waiting for so it is but right for him to make history in Cebu," said Aldeguer. "This is very special for us and we're very happy to bring such event here."

Aldeguer said they took the risk of pitting Nietes against the dangerous Velarde because aside from measuring the greatness of the Bacoleño fighter, they feel that putting up quality fights is something that they owe to the fans who have been very supportive endeavor since the humble beginnings of Pinoy Pride way back in 2010.

"We've always felt that there's a commitment on our part to treat the fans with quality fights because that is something they deserve," said Aldeguer. As for Nietes, to prove his greatness, he has to go through the best of the best. To define the greatness of a person, you have to go through a tough test."

The 32-year-old Nietes (33-1-4, 19KOs), for his part, said he doesn't feel any pressure knowing that he would practically stake eveything against Velarde (26-3-1, 14KOs).

"I'm not pressured at all. What I am thinking of is that I must always be ready for every fight that comes my way," said Nietes. "I know my opponent is also training hard so I'll just have to prepare myself to be the best I could possibly be when we fight inside the ring."

If victorious, Nietes will most probably vacate his title to campaign in the flyweight division and target a showdown with WBO/WBA champion Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico. (FREEMAN)