PINOY PRIDE 28: TEAM MEXICO HITS CEBU
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 11 Nov 2014
CEBU CITY ? Another action packed Philippines vs Mexico match-up will unfold this Saturday at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino when Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes (33W-1L-4D,19KO?s) of the ALA gym defends his WBO junior flyweight world title against Carlos Velarde (26W-3L-1D,14KO?s) of Mexico.
Velarde, together with countrymen Saul Juarez (20-3,11KO?s), Raul Hirales (22W-3L-1D, 11KOs) and unified WBO/IBF minimumweight champ Francisco Rodriguez,Jr (16-2,11KO?s), are now in Cebu with their respective training teams for the highly anticipated Pinoy Pride XVIII: ?HISTORY IN THE MAKING?. They met members of the Cebu media Tuesday in a press conference held at the Rajah Park Hotel.
The challenger showed respect for Nietes in his statements, ?I know he is solid and a champion. But I want to be a champion myself. Nietes is a technical fighter. But I am a Mexican, this is my advantage.?
?I have received two months advance notice for this fight I prepared well. I have sparred with Carlos Cuadras.? Velarde referred to the WBC super flyweight champion who will defend his title against a Filipino, Marvin Mabait in Washington D.C.on November 13.
When asked for a bolder statement, Velarde said, ?I am prepared to give a knockout.?
Juarez on the other hand, will be pitted against titlist Milan ?El Metodico? Melindo (31-1,12KO?s) in an IBF jr.flyweight eliminator.
?I know my opponent is a strong fighter and a well experienced fighter. But I am also strong and well experienced. I know how to attack well. So, we will see,? Juarez said.
Hirales will be facing IBF Intercontinental super bantamweight titlist ?Prince? Albert Pagara (21-0,15KO?s). Hirales stated that ?I know he is strong, he is young. I will upset his plans and bring the victory back to Mexico.?
Velarde answers questions from the Cebu media Tuesday at the Rajah Park Hotel.
L-R: WBO minimumweight champion Francisco Rodriquez, Carlos Velarde, Saul Juarez and Raul Hirales.
Photos by Dong Secuya / PhilBoxing.com.
A very interesting addition to this fight card is the Mexican boxer who dethroned Merlito Sabillo earlier this year, Francisco Rodriguez,Jr (16-2,11KO?s).
Rodriguez will be moving up to face Jomar Fajardo of Binangonan, Rizal. Rodriguez is looking forward to invading the jr.flyweight ranks. He credits his training team for his high punch output which gave him the WBO and IBF minimumweight belts in his collection.
Sabillo will be on the undercard against Faris Nenggo of Indonesia, AJ ?Bazooka? Banal will fight Maxsaisai Sithsaithong of Thailand and Mark ?Magnifico? Magsayo will trade punches with Moon-sun Jung of South Korea.
Rounding up the blockbuster fight card are Polid Banal vs Ritchen Rosales (4 rounds), Virgel Vitor vs Jovane Abejero (4 rounds) and Gerard Suico vs Frits Cabilla (4 rounds).
Nietes, who is also recognized as the linear world champion by Ring magazine, is looking to surpass the seven year three month reign of the great Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde at the end of 2014. But first, he must hurdle the challenge of ?Chapito? Velarde in order to make history.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
MONTE-CARLO SHOWDOWN VI PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Fri, 05 Dec 2025Class of 2026 Announced in Canastota
Fri, 05 Dec 2025Thailand’s Niyomtrong “Knockout CPF” Decisions Junior Zárate, Becomes World Champion Again
By Carlos Costa, Fri, 05 Dec 2025WORLD RANKED FILIPINO BOXERS AS OF DECEMBER 2025 BY THE RING, WBC, WBA, IBF, AND WBO
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 05 Dec 2025Shinard Bunch Takes on John Paul Magalong on Tuesday, January 13th at The UFC Gym North Brunswick in North Brunswick, NJ
Fri, 05 Dec 2025Severino and Mendoza win Blitz Asian Chess Championship for Players with Disabilities
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 05 Dec 2025Herlan Gomez Departs for Australia for Moloney Fight Saturday on DAZN
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 04 Dec 2025KENNETH LLOVER DEFENDS OPBF TITLE IN FOURTH FIGHT OF 2025
Thu, 04 Dec 2025Canoy, Mama, Into Contend in IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in Dubai
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 04 Dec 2025CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH 2: REMATCH SEASON FULL FIGHT CARD SET
Thu, 04 Dec 2025MERRY FISTMAS! World-Ranked KO Artist Ramon Cardenas Faces Erik Robles in ProBoxTV Main Event at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale, Thursday, December 18
Thu, 04 Dec 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 2 DECEMBER 2025: Kavaliauskas Wins by Split Decision Over Molina; Whittaker Stops Gavazi in 1; Malajika Wins by UD Over Paras
By Eric Armit, Wed, 03 Dec 2025WBC Strips Terence Crawford of Super Middle Title
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 03 Dec 2025Soledad wins WBC Asian Continental title
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 03 Dec 2025A night of power, legacy, and UAE pride: IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships opens in spectacular fashion in Dubai
Wed, 03 Dec 2025