Donnie “Ahas” Nietes of the ALA Gym poses with Mexican challenger Carlos “Chapito” Velarde after yesterday’s official weigh-in at Robinson’s Fuente. With them are ALA Promotions Int’l chief Michael Aldeguer, fight judge Edward Ligas and WBO Supervisor Leon Panoncillo.
(CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
This time, action shifts to where it should be – inside the boxing ring.
After days of sabre rattling and after hurdling the test of the scales yesterday, two division world champion and current WBO Light Flyweight king Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and his Mexican challenger Carlos “Chapito” Velarde will finally let their fists do the talking as they tangle in the main event of tonight’s Pinoy Pride 28: History in the Making at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
Nietes and Velarde took to the scales at the jampacked Robinson’s Fuente yesterday with the Filipino champ weighing 107.5lbs and the Mexican at 108lbs.
The crowd then went wild when they engaged each other in a fierce staredown.
Nietes said after the weigh-in that he is planning to end the bout early.
“I will be going for a knockout. I don’t want to let this fight go 12 rounds,” Nietes declared although he clarified that he can go the full route given his top condition.
Nietes is one month and 15 days shy of breaking the record for the longest reigning Filipino boxing champion of the legendary Gabriel “Flash” Elorde who reigned for seven years and three months. Standing in the way is Velarde, who also predicted a knockout win.
Meanwhile, Milan “El Metodico” Melindo debuts as a light flyweight this Saturday night and also vowed to win via knockout against Mexican Saul “Baby” Juarez. Melindo weighed in at 107.5lbs while Juarez came at a perfect 107lbs.
Undefeated “Prince” Albert Pagara of the ALA Gym and his Mexican opponent Raul Hirales will fight for the IBF Intercontinental Featherweight belt in the undercard.
(CDN PHOTO /LITO TECSON)
The unbeaten IBF Intercontinental jr. featherweight champion “Prince” Albert Pagara and Mexican challenger Raul Hirales tipped the scales at a similar 122lbs. The 20-year old Pagara also promised an abbreviated victory.
“I know there’s a big chance of knocking him out especially that I am in tip-top condition,” declared Pagara.
WBO and IBF minimum weight king Francisco Rodriguez Jr. of Mexico weighed in at 113lbs, one pound over the limit while his opponent, Jomar Fajardo weighed an exact 112lbs. Despite the Mexican being slightly overweight, the 10-round fight is still a go since it is a non-title duel.
Former world champion, Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo and his opponent Faris Nenggo of Indonesia both weighed in at 107lbs while former world title challenger AJ “Bazooka” Banal came in at 124.5lbs half a pound lighter than his Thai foe Maxsaisai Sithsaithong.
Boholano Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo and Korean Moon Sun Jung weighed in at 126 and 125.5lbs, respectively.
Action starts at 6 p.m.
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