Dream come true for Nietes & Villanueva; Melindo ready, too, for Pinoy Pride 36
By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 15 Apr 2016
BACOLOD CITY -- It?s a dream come true for the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) World Jr. Flyweight Champion and longest reigning Filipino World Champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes of Murcia, and reigning World Boxing Council International Super Superflyweight champion ?King? Arthur Villanueva to fight before their fellow Negrenses for the Pinoy Pride 36, ddubbed as ?A Legend in the Making? on May 28.
This was stressed yesterday by the Negrense champions during the press conference held at Chalet, L?Fisher Hotel.
?It?s been my dream to fight again before my kababayans. It?s my way to thank my fellow Negrenses who have supported me,? said Nietes (37 wins, a loss and 4 draws, 21KOs).
It was recalled that Nietes last fought in Bacolod on October 2011 when he defeated then champion Ramon Hirales Garcia of Mexico at the University of St. La Salle.
For Villanueva, it?s a great opportunity for him to fight again in Bacolod City. ?I?m so happy for this privilege. Many of my friends were asking me when I?ll be fighting again here in Bacolod. And, finally it?s here,? stressed Villanueva (28 wins and a loss with 14 knockouts). ?On May 28, I?ll be fighting at the 118 pounds from my 115 catch weight. My coach wanted to see if I?m ready for this weight class.?
Villanueva will take reigning WBC Continental Americas Superflyweight champion Juan ?El Penita? Jimenez (22-9 with 15KOs) for a 10-round clash in the undercard.
ALA Promotions? President and CEO Michael Aldeguer said that Cebu, Manila and US has been asking that Nietes? fight will be held there. ?But, Nietes has long been requesting for this fight. It?s just proper for the pride of Negros to show who is Nietes now. Who have expected that Nietes will able to be at this level of his career,? he said.
However, Aldeguer yet to disclose who will Nietes be facing in this voluntary title defense. ?We?re still looking a No.3 Juan Jose Landaeta of Nicaragua, No.8 Ryo Miyazaki of Japan, No.11 Raul Garcia-Hirales of Mexico, Nicaraguan Felix Alvarado, among the few names under our consideration.?
?Nietes? mandatory title defense will be on September 24 in US against No. 1 challenger Moises Fuentes of Mexico. This will be the third time that Nietes and Fuentes will be facing each other,? he added.
Meanwhile, former 2-time world title challenger and currently ranked No.4 in the International Boxing Federation Flyweight division Milan ?El Metodico? Melindo (33-2 with 12KOs) will face IBF No. 7 Javier ?Cobra? Mendoza (24-3-1 with 24KOs) of Mexico for the IBF Jr. Flyweight Eliminator.
Known to be one of the successful tactical fighters, Melindo said that he will bring back his old form. ?I will no longer be called as ?metodico? but rather bring back my old moniker ?milenyo?,? he said.
As far as the fighters? preparation, veteran coach Edmund Villamor said that they have prepared their fighters well in this fight. ?Though we yet to know who will be Nietes? opponent, but, we have prepared him to this fight. We have sets of training on various approaches,? he added.(Watchmen Daily Journal)
ALL SET FOR PINOY PRIDE 36. (from left) WBC) International Super Superflyweight champion ?King? Arthur Villanueva, former 2-time world challenger Milan ?El Metodico? Melindo, ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer, WBO World Jr. Flyweight Champion and longest reigning Filipino World Champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes, and veteran coach Edmund Villamor during yesterday?s press conference for the May 28 fight in Bacolod City. (MYMY ALAGABAN Photo).
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