NIETES, GORRES RETURN TO LA, THANK SUPPORTERS
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 14 Sep 2009
LOS ANGELES, CA -- Conquering Filipino boxers Donnie Nietes and Z Gorres, accompanied by the rest of their team, arrived at 11 a.m. this morning in Los Angeles on Mexicana Airlines flight MX 639 after a long trip from Tepic, Nayarit via Guadalajara in Mexico. Nietes successfully defended his WBO mimimumweight title by defeating tough Interim champion Manuel Vargas of Mexico while Gorres won by 6th round TKO over rough opponent Cruz Carbajal at El Palenque de la Feria in Tepic last night.
Nietes and Gorres were accompanied by ALA VP Dennis Canete, trainers Edito and Edmund Villamor, AJ Banal and this writer. The group were met at the Tom Bradley International Airport by long time supporter Ronald Sanchez and the author's daughter Joan who immediately brought them to Sanchez's house at Melrose and Edgemont for lunch. Cutman Dr Allan Recto left Tepic for San Francisco right after the hostilities Saturday night.
"I wish to thank everyone who supported us," Nietes, whose fight with Vargas had been postponed three times and who himself stayed and trained in Los Angeles since May, said. "Thank you for your prayers. It was a tough fight for me but fortunately I am still the champion. Now all I want to do is to go home and see my family."
The entire ALA team will leave Monday night in Los Angeles via Philippine Airlines arriving in Manila early morning Wednesday, September 16. Ronald Sanchez and wife Carmina will host a farewell party for the Team tonight with several Los Angeles supporters also expected to attend.
Top photo: WBO minimumweight champion Donnie Nietes and bantamweight contender Z Gorres of the Philippines pose at the Tom Bradley International Airport in Los Angeles upon their arrival Sunday noon.
L-R: Edito Villamor, AJ Banal, Ronald Sanchez, WBO champion Donnie Nietes, Joan Secuya, Z Gorres, Edmund Villamor and ALA VP Dennis Canete at the Tom Bradley International Airport in Los Angeles Sunday.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 02 Jan 2026Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
Fri, 02 Jan 2026Canadian World Cruiserweight Contender Ryan Rozicki returning to ring March 7th
Thu, 01 Jan 2026Lover Boy on hot streak
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 31 Dec 2025Silvano fights Gurung on January 13 in Hong Kong
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 31 Dec 2025GM Laylo faces tough competition in Caloocan rapid chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 31 Dec 2025GOLDEN BOY DELIVERS A LOADED UNDERCARD OF STAR PROSPECTS FOR ROCHA VS. CURIEL II
Wed, 31 Dec 2025Arca wins silver in Eastern Asian Juniors Chess Championships 2025
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 31 Dec 2025Donaire awaits WBA order
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 30 Dec 2025Anthony Joshua injured in car crash in Nigeria
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 30 Dec 2025Sampson Boxing Signs Red Hot Middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr to Exclusive Promotional Contract
Tue, 30 Dec 2025Undefeated Carl Jammes Martin Plots Next Move as New Year Unfolds
Mon, 29 Dec 2025Alvin Gayeta Roma leads Mansa Engineering Consultancy Team B to rule New York Chess Academy Team Tournament; pockets P100,000
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 29 Dec 2025Llover, Casimero stop foes in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 28 Dec 2025Organizing Committee Meets for Dr. Eugene Torre Rapid Chess Tournament Honoring FIL-CHI’s Golden Anniversary
Sun, 28 Dec 2025