RODRIGUEZ ISSUES CHALLENGE TO NIETES
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 13 Nov 2014
Rodriguez.
CEBU CITY - Francisco Rodriguez,Jr (16W-2L, 11KO's) of Mexico made public his wish to fight reigning WBO junior flyweight title-holder Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes (33W-1L-4D,19KO?s) of the ALA gym.
Rodriguez proudly displayed his WBO and IBF minimumweight title belts during the press conference held Thursday for PINOY PRIDE 28: HISTORY IN THE MAKING. He will be moving up in weight and will face Jomar Fajardo (14-5-1,7 KO's) of the Aljoe Jaro stable of Binangonan, Rizal in a non-title contest.
Nietes on the other hand, will be in the main event for his fifth defense against Carlos Velarde (26-3-1,14KO?s), also from Mexico.
Rodriguez had already bared his intention to fight Nietes to this writer two days ago and was mentioned in an earlier article. However, in today's press conference, Rodriguez spoke in front of the entire print and tv media present and issued his challenge to fight the winner of Nietes vs Velarde.
?If Nietes wins, then so be it,? he said. But his intentions were clear, he knows Nietes has beaten all Mexican boxers he has faced. What makes this match more interesting is that Rodriguez won his WBO belt by dethroning another ALA boxer, Merlito Sabillo, who like Nietes, is from Negros Occidental. Rodriguez even joked that he is willing to fight Nietes on Monday.
Rodriguez won his second belt by beating IBF champ Katsunari Takayama of Japan.
ALA Promotions Pres and CEO Michael Aldeguer stated their plans for Nietes, including a fight in Macau in card that will also feature Nonito Donaire. Nietes also plans to more up to 112 lbs and face either Juan Francisco Estrada or Roman Gonzales.
It is unclear of Nietes ? if he wins this Saturday ? will have one more fight at 108 lbs. Nietes did not publicly respond to the challenge knowing that he still has Velarde to fight but the match-up is sure to be a hit among the hard core fans here in Cebu.
PINOY PRIDE 28 will be on November 15 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.?
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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