Ni Gilbert Espeña
TULAD ng inaasahan, iniutos ng World Boxing Organization (WBO) na maglaban sina No. 1 contender Donnie Nietes at No. 2 ranked Aston Palicte para sa bakanteng WBO super flyweight title.
Sa sulat sa promoter ni Nietes na si Michael Aldeguer ng ALA Promotions at promoter ni Palicte na si Roy Jones Jr. ng RJJ Promotions, binigyan sila ng WBO nang hanggang Mayo 10, 2018 para magkasundo sa petsa ng laban.
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Kung hindi magkakasundo sina Aldeguer at Jones ay dadaan sa purse bid ang kampeonato at lamang doon ang kampo ni Palicte.
“Please be advised the parties have ten (10) days to negotiate an agreement for the vacant WBO World Jr. Bantamweight Championship bout between Donnie Nietes vs. Aston Palicte,” ayon sa utos ng WBO. “If an accord is not reached within the time frame stated herein, a Purse Bid will be ordered. The winner of the contest must face the Mandatory Challenger designated by the Championship Committee within 90 days from the date of the bout.”
Nabakante ang WBO title nang umakyat sa bantamweight division ang dating kampeon na si Naoya Inoue ng Japan halos kasabay ng pagbibitiw ni Nietes sa IBF flyweight title upang maging No. 1 contender ng WBO sa super flyweight division kung saan naroon ang mga sikat na sina WBC champion Srisaket Sor Rungvisai ng Thailand, dating world champions Juan Francisco Estrada ng Mexico at Chocolatito Gonzalez ng Nicaragua, gayundin si IBF titlist Jerwin Ancajas na isa ring Pilipino.
May impresibong rekord si Palicte na 24 na panalo, 2 talo na may 20 pagwawagi sa knockouts at huling lumaban nang idispatsa si dating WBA interim light flyweight champion Jose Alfredo Rodriguez ng Mexico na pinatulog niya sa loob ng limang rounds noong Disyembre 8, 2017 sa Round Rock Sports Center sa Texas para matamo ang NABF super flyweight crown.
“This is something big for Philippine boxing – another world title fight between two Filipinos, who would have thought about it that four Filipinos would fight for a world title this year and in the same division?”pahayag ni Aldeguer sabay tukoy sa boksingero niyang si Jonas Sultan na hahamunin si IBF super flyweight ruler Jerwin Ancajas.
“I’m looking at a July 21 date for this fight which can be held in Cebu – at the Cebu Coliseum to accommodate more fans. But it depends on the other party. I am also open to have the fight held in the U.S. because Donnie is now popular over there.”
