World Boxing Organization (WBO) BO junior flyweight and Ring Magazine champion Donnie Nietes (left) faces off against Mexican challenger Juan “Pinky” Alejo at yesterday’s final press conference in Carson, California.
dong secuya of philboxing.com
Carson, CA–There is a strong possibility that a mega-collision between pound-for-pound No. 1 boxer Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua and WBO light-flyweight champion Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes will take place sometime in the not-too-distant future, revealed ALA Promotions president and CEO Michael Aldeguer.
Speaking in front of the media yesterday for the final press conference of the “Pinoy Pride 33: Philippines Vs The World,” Aldeguer, when asked by this writer about the possible match-up, answered in the affirmative indicating there have been initial negotiations with Gonzalez and his team for the fight to materialize.
However, Aldeguer cautioned that both fighters should first hurdle their respective opponents this Saturday in the United States before negotiations for the mouthwatering match-up can resume.
Gonzalez (43-0-0, 37 KOs) will defend his WBC flyweight title this Saturday against Fil-Am Brian ‘Hawaiian Punch’ Viloria at the Madison Square Garden in New York, while on the same evening, Nietes (36-1-4, 21 KOs) headlines a big event at the StubHub Center here against Mexican Juan ‘Pinky’ Alejo to defend his WBO strap.
Aldeguer further divulged he has been contacted by Gonzalez’s promoter Tom Loeffler and an HBO representative for preliminary talks on a possible Gonzalez-Nietes duel.
“They want the fight and Nietes wants the fight and we want the fight. But we are not thinking about that fight right now. Nietes will be facing Alejo this Saturday and Nietes has to win that fight first. You’ll never know the outcome and Alejo has nothing to lose,” Aldeguer said.
READY AND RARING TO FIGHT
Three days before his fight, Nietes, the world’s longest-reigning Filipino champion who has worn the crown for eight years as the WBO 108-lb ruler, says he is ready to defend his crown against Juan Alejo of Mexico.
During preparations for his title defense, Nietes had sparred with former three-division champion Brian Viloria of Hawaii, who will challenge undefeated pound-for-pound king, Roman Gonzalez of Nicaragua for the WBC flyweight title also this Saturday (Sunday in the Philippines) in New York.
“Malaking tulong sa akin na naka-spar ko mga higher level na world champion,” said Nietes.
Meanwhile, undefeated Filipino IBF Intercontinental super-bantamweight champion Albert “Prince” Pagara, who is coming from his first-round knockout of Jesus Rios in Dubai last August –will face his acid test against Nicaraguan knockout artist William “Chirizo” Gonzalez for the WBO International Jr featherweight championship.
Albert’s older brother, WBO ranked No. 2 junior welterweight contender Jason Pagara, is facing Gonzalez’s countryman, former WBA Fedelatin super-featherweight champion Santos “El Toro” Benavides in what promises to be a highly engaging non-title bout.
One of the most anticipated fights is the American debut of IBF Youth featherweight champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo against fellow undefeated Mexican fighter Yardley Suarez.
Also on the card is Cebu-born, California-based Bruno Escalante (13-1-1, 6 KOs) who will go up against Mexican Nestor Ramos (6-2-1, 2 KOs).
Two more bouts are also on the card that will serve as curtain-raisers for this first-ever event put up by a Filipino promotional outfit in mainland United States.