Donnie “Ahas” Nietes (3rd from left) poses with his opponent Raul “Rayito” Garcia (4th from left), other boxers and organizers after the press conference for the Pinoy Pride 36: A Legend in the Making in Bacolod City. (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON)
BACOLOD CITY—- The rivalry between reigning WBO world light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and challenger former world champion Raul ” Rayito” Garcia is heating up just days before their fight.
Both clash in the main event of the Pinoy Pride 36: A Legend In the Making at the University of Saint La Salle stadium on Saturday.
Nietes (37-1-4,21KOs) and Garcia (36-3-1,22KOs) faced each other for the first time Thursday in a press conference at the L’Fisher Hotel here.
Garcia, twin brother of Ramon Garcia Hirales, whom Nietes stripped off of his WBO world light flyweight title in 2011 at the same venue, vowed for revenge.
“He’s gonna say goodbye to his title,” Garcia said. ” He beat my brother but i’m going to be the equalizer. I’m going to bring back the title to Mexico.”
Nietes, meanwhile, was confident of a victory via a knockout.
“I’m one hundred percent prepared for this fight. I will do my best to knock him out but I can’t assure what round it will happen, ” Nietes said.