NIETES, ALA BOXERS' VICTORY PRESSCON HIGHLIGHTS
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 17 Sep 2009
WBO minimumweight world champ Donnie "Ahas" Nietes made a triumphant return to Cebu Thursday morning together with stablemates Z "The Dream" Gorres, Mighty Mark Melligen and AJ “Bazooka” Banal. They thanked the Filipino boxing fans here and abroad for their prayers and support during a press conference was held at the Patio Isabel in Talamban, Cebu City.
Nietes and Gorres scored a very rare twin victory on Mexican soil last weekend. Nietes owns the unique distinction of having successfully defended his WBO world title two straight times in Mexico, the second was against a mandatory challenger and WBO interim titlist Manuel Vargas.
Nietes (25 W-1 L-3 D with 14 KO’s) said that he never had any trouble handling Vargas because of his defense. He even feels that the decision should have been unanimous. Nietes won by split decision with scores of 116-112 Vargas and 116-110 and 118-110 going for the ALA gym fighter who now has three successful defenses under his belt.
Nietes also said that it is okay if people label him as the country's next “Mexicutioner”. He said this without any hint of bravado. ALA Promotions Vice President Dennis Canete tagged the soft spoken Nietes as a “silent Mexicutioner”. There were hair raising moments after the fight when they were booed by the partisan Mexican fans in Nayarit, Mexico. But they did acknowledge the appreciation of the Mexican fans for the sports of boxing. Champions, even from the Philippines, are treated like rock stars over there.
The three postponements did not really affect him physically. Trainer Edmund Vilamor said that Nietes just resumed his heavy sparring even against boxers 20 pounds heavier. But he was at the verge of packing up and going home if the fight was postponed for the fourth time. He thanked the ALA gym staff, trainers and his countrymen.
Z Gorres fought as a bantamweight for the second time and feels more comfortable with the weight. He beat Cruz Carbajal, a 35 year old former WBO bantamweight world titlist, by 6th round TKO. Trainer Edito Villamor said Gorres speed will not be affected by the move to bantamweight as long as he tapers his weight properly and does not drain it quickly.
ALA Promotions Pres. Michael Aldeguer is now negotiating for Gorres to fight for the interim WBO world title against Eric Morel. A Gorres vs. Morel bout will surely add another exciting chapter to the Philippines vs. Puerto Rico rivalry.
AJ Banal won by ten round unanimous decision over Jose Angel Beranza in Hawaii last August 29 in the undercard of the Brian Viloria vs Jesus Iribe IBF lt.flyweight title bout. Banal has won three straight this year and feels he is ready to fight for a world title anytime, anywhere.
Mark Jason Melligen scored a fourth round TKO over Mexico's Ernesto Zepeda in the August 15 Pinoy Power fight card that saw Nonito Donaire win the vacant WBA interim superflyweight belt over Rafael Concepcion. Melligen also delighted the Pinoy fans with his ring walk which featured the song “Careless Whisper”. Melligen is scheduled to face Mexican Michel Rosales at the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas one day before the Pacquiao-Cotto bout.
There are plans for Nietes to stage his fourth defense here in the Philippines. He dreams of fighting again in Negros. But a Cebu or Manila bout in the undercard of a Brian Viloria title defense is also being worked out.
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