NIETES AND SABILLO TAKE THEIR TURN SATURDAY
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 26 Nov 2013
Nietes (L) and Sabillo.
WBO world light flyweight champ Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes and WBO minimumweight champ Merlito ?Tigre? Sabillo will have a tough act to follow on November 30 when they defend their belts at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
While the rest of the country is still euphoric over Manny Pacquiao?s return to the ring last Sunday, the duo are in their final stages of preparations for the title defenses for the 23rd edition of the Pinoy Pride series.
Nietes? challenger, Sammy Gutierrez of Mexico, arrived with his team in Manila on November 23. Carlos Buitrago and his seconds arrived from Nicaragua one day later.
Nietes (31-1-4, 17KO?s) , who previously held the WBO world minimumweight title, has been a world champ since 2007. Gutierrez (33-9-2, 23 KO's) is a former WBC Silver champion and former WBA interim world minimumweight champion. Sabillo (23-0, 12 KO's) and Buitrago (27-0, 16 KO's) promises to be a crowd pleasing battle between two unbeaten fighters. Both champs train in the ALA gym of Cebu; It will be their turn to dedicate their bouts to their countrymen who had to endure two natural calamities in less than a month span.
The camps of the Latino opponents for the undercard bouts are also here in the country.
Milan Melindo will try to bounce back from his first career loss when he squares off against Jose Alfredo Rodriguez of Mexico. Melindo (29-1, 12 KO?s) lost a unanimous decision to WBO/WBA flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada in Macau last July. Rodriguez (29-2, 18 KO?s) is also coming off title losses against WBA jr. flyweight champ Kazuto Ioka of Japan and WBA interim titlist Alberto Rossel of Peru.
Jason Pagara (31-2, 19 KO?s) is coming off a hard fought unanimous decision win over Aaron Herrera last May. His opponent, Vladimir Baez (19-1-2, 17 Ko?s) of the Dominican Republic, scored back to back knockout wins this year against Jose Santos and Jose Manzueta.
AJ Banal (29-2-2, 21 KO?s) will be up against Puerto Rican Lucian Gonzales (16-7-2, 5KO?s).
ALA Promotions emailed philboxing that Team Latinos will have a public work out in SM City Masinag on Wednesday 5pm and Official Press Conference on Thursday, 11 am at Gloria Maris, Gateway. ALA Promotions also informed that tickets for Pinoy Pride XXIII "Filipinos Kontra Latinos" are available at all TicketNet Outlets.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Verano to face Thai in Clash of Nations on April 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 21 Apr 2025Masangkay to fight Ocampo in JAS on April 23
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Denver Holds Off LA Clippers in OT, 112-110
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Arca clinches 3rd and final IM norm; Guns for GM norm in last round
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
By Lito delos Reyes, Sun, 20 Apr 2025MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
Sun, 20 Apr 2025Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
Sun, 20 Apr 2025FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 20 Apr 2025Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
Sat, 19 Apr 2025Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
Sat, 19 Apr 2025WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
Sat, 19 Apr 2025