PINOY PRIDE 31: ?THE KING WILL FALL!? ? RODRIGUEZ (PHOTOS)
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 09 Jul 2015
CEBU CITY ? WBO junior flyweight champion Donnie Nietes and Mexican challenger Francisco Rodriguez had a final exchange of words today before their highly anticipated battle this Saturday.
Rodriguez was once again questioned about his draw against Jomar Fajardo here last November. It was an action packed bout but pundits were near unanimous in expecting an easy win for the Mexican, who openly challenged Nietes, a day before the said fight.
?I was not focused in that fight,? Rodriguez emphasized through interpreter Mon Esca?o, ?It was a punishment from God. Now I am back to correct what happened.With all due respect to all the Mexican boxers that Nietes has beaten, they are all good fighters but Nietes has never fought anyone with my style. The Mexicans have balls.?
Nietes stated that if Rodriguez attacks him, he will counter, ?Counterpunching will stop him.?
?I will wait for you inside the ring,? Rodriguez replied.
?He will be the twelfth Mexican boxer that I will beat,? Nietes retorted. His streak against Mexican foes includes being the only Filipino champion to defend his crown thrice in Mexico when he was still WBO minimumweight champion.
Nietes (L) and Rodriguez face to face before their title fight on Saturday night.
Magsayo (L) and Reyes (R) with ALA Presdient Michael Aldeguer (2nd from left) and IBF supervisor and GAB commissioner Fritz Gaston (2nd from right).
Kevin Jake Cataraja (L) and Indonesian Ardi Tefa.
Rodriguez had the last say when they posed for photos. As the photographers gathered around the them, Rodriguez yelled and alluded to the ancient times when an old king will fall and a new king will rule.
Rodriguez, a former WBO/IBF minimumweight champion, sparred with the likes of Saul Juarez and Armando Torres, a total of a hundred hours in a five month preparation for this challenge.
Mark ?Magnifico? Magsayo and Rafael ?Guerrerito? Reyes of Mexico also did their share of sabre-rattling. Magsayo did not like the idea that Reyes already stated that he wants to fight Magsayo?s stablemate, Albert Pagara.
?He has to go through me first,? Magsayo said, ?I am also prepared for this fight.?
?This is why I am here,?Reyes answered, ?To show you what Mexicans are made of. I hope you (Magsayo) won?t run.?
Magsayo and Reyes will be fighting for the IBF Youth featherweight title in the supporting main event of PINOY PRIDE 31: CLASH OF THE WORLD CHAMPIONS.
A special addition to PINOY PRIDE will be the debut of multi-awarded amateur Kevin Jake Cataraja, who will be fighting a foreigner in his first professional outing. Cataraja will be pitted against Indonesian Ardi Tefa (6-4,4KO?s) in a six rounder.
Two Mexican cruiserweights will also be pitted against each other in a six rounder ? Jorge Kahwagi vs Ramon Alejandro Olivas.
Completing the July 11 cast are:
Roli ?Zuma? Gasca vs Rasmanudin of Indonesia ? 8 rounds
?Vicious? Vic Saludar vs Michael Kaibigan ? 8 rounds
Elmo ?Bisdak? Traya vs Bryan Macamay - 8 rounds
Virgel ?Valiente? Vitor vs Carlo Demecillo ? 6 rounds
Raul ?Vulcan? Yu vs Richard ?Smiley? Sueno ? 6 rounds
The fights will start at 5:30PM. ALA Promotions Pres and CEO Michael Aldeguer received a plaque from the IBF for being the most active Intercontinental promoter. The award was given by IBF fight supervisor Matthew Gaston. PINOY PRIDE 31 will be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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