Nangako si World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior flyweight titlist at longest reigning Filipino world champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes na ipapamalas niya ang ‘solid performance’ para sa kanyang title defense sa bayang sinilangan sa Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

Nakatakdang makaharap ni Nietes si dating world champion Raul Garcia ng Mexico sa main event ng Pinoy Pride 36: A Legend in the Making sa Mayo 28 na gaganapin sa University of St. La Salle Coliseum.

“It’s been my dream to fight again before my kababayans. It’s my way of thanking my fellow Negrenses who have supported me all throughout my career,” sambti ni Nietes.

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Ayon sa 33-anyos na tubong Murcia, limang taon na ang nakalipas nang huli siyang sumabak sa harapan ng kanyang mga kababayan kaya nais niyang mabigyan ng kaligayahan ang kanyang mga tagahanga.

“I’ll do my best to beat Raul Garcia,” pahayag pa ni Nietes na may 37 panalo, 1 talo at 4 na tabla kasama ang 21 knockouts. “Many were in doubt of me when I first fought in Bacolod against Raul’s twin brother Ramon. This time, I’ll make sure that I will win convincingly. More so that I’m looking at defending my belt against Moises ‘Moi’ Fuentes this September in US,” aniya.

Iginiit pa ng tinaguriang “Ahas” na hindi niya mamaliitin si Garcia (38-3-1, 23 knockout) dahil dati itong WBO at International Boxing Federation (IBF) minimum champion.

Ayon naman sa trainer ni Nietes na si Edmund Villamor, handang-handa na si Nietes sa depensa laban sa Mexican.

“He’s ready, his condition is 100 percent,” ani Villamor. “We focused on his speed and footwork so that it will go together with his timing.” (Gilbert Espeña)