ALA Gym fighters brace for tough US encounters

THREE of ALA Boxing Gym’s top boxers led by the longest reigning Filipino world champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes are bracing for tough battles in September 24’s “Philippines vs. Mexico” fight card in StubHub Center in Carson, California.

Nietes (38-1-4, 22 KOs), who vacated his WBO world light-flyweight belt to move up to the regular flyweight division, said he feels stronger and in better condition in his new weight division.

Boholano WBO international featherweight champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (14-0, 11KOs) declared he is prepared to face anyone after his stellar performance against American Chris Avalos last April, while former world title challenger “King” Arthur Villanueva (29-1, 15KOs) is eager to face Mexican Juan Jimenez (22-10,15KOs) in their much-anticipated rematch.

In an interview, Nietes expressed his excitement for his 112-pound debut but vowed not take former world champion Edgar Sosa (52-0, 30 KOs) of Mexico lightly.

“I think he is a good fighter. He is an ex-champion. Being a bit older than me would mean he has more experience. I never underestimate my opponents. I could see he is one tough guy too, looking at his record, as he has fought with some of the division’s big names. He is one big challenge for me,” said Nietes.

Magsayo, meanwhile, has been training since May, a month after his epic battle against Avalos at the Cebu City Sports Center that saw him bucking an early knockdown.

“When I got knocked down, I realized I needed to build and work on my defense. It was the first knockdown I experienced in my whole boxing career, so it wasn’t easy for me,” said Magsayo.

Villanueva, on the other hand, vowed to finally settle an old score with Jimenez, whom he defeated last May 29 in Bacolod City. Villanueva won by knockout after Jimenez fell unconscious after an accidental head-butt. The referee, however, scored it a knockout in favor of Villanueva, ending the fight in a controversial fashion.

“I’m not frustrated at all. Things like that happen in boxing, or in life for that matter. It’s only normal for people to react with how our fight turned out. He hit me that time, that’s why I got knocked down. But right now, I’ve doubled my training because I want to prove that I deserved to win and I know Jimenez is working and training just as hard for his revenge,” said Villanueva.

The three are set to fly to the US on Aug. 20 to continue their training at the Wild Card Boxing Gym in Los Angeles.