Nietes confident against Salguero
This is a strong message of the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight champion Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes as he is set to defend his crown against former world champion Felipe Salguero of Toluca, Mexico in Pinoy Pride XIV, dubbed ‘Night of Champions’ this coming June 2 at the Resorts World Manila.
“I have studied his game. I have read his style,” said Nietes on a text message to Watchmen Daily Journal.
The Murcia-native champion further disclosed that he have gone through lots of sacrifices in preparing himself to this fight. “I have already sparred more than a hundred times to prepare myself,” he added.
Nietes has a standing record of 29-1-3 win-draw-loss card with 16KOs while Salguero is undefeated with 16 victories, 2 draws and11KOs.
This is the first title defense of Nietes after dethroning erstwhile title holder Ramon Garcia Hirales, also of Mexico, in October of last year at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum here in Bacolod City.
Meanwhile, also seeing action in the undercard is undefeated Milan ‘El Metodico’ Melindo (26-0-0, 10KOs) who will be taking former WBO light flyweight titlist Jesus Geles (13-2-1, 5KOs) of Columbia for the vacant WBO International flyweight title.
Melindo is rated No.1 contender by the WBO in his division and is on collision path with Filipino-American champion Brian Viloria. If ever Melindo pasts Geles on June 2, he will more likely becomes Viloria’s mandatory challenger.
ALA Promotions President/CEO Michael Aldeguer said that they don’t want to fight a fellow Filipino for the title but if they cannot avoid it they will take the fight.
By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.