NANGAKO si Pinoy champion Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes na mabibigo si three-division world champion Kazuto Ioka na makalikha ng kasaysayan sa kanilang pagtutuos ngayon para sa bakanteng WBO super flyweight title sa Wynn Palace Kotai sa Macao, China.

Kung magtatagumpay laban kay Nietes, si Ioka ang magiging kauna-unahang Hapones na four-division four titlist at magagawa niya ito sa pagsasanay sa pamosong Cuban trainer na si Ismael Salas.

“I came to Macao to be able to consummate my great goal in order to make a new historic chapter of Japanese boxing glory,” sabi ni Ioka sa BoxingScene.com. “I understand more than enough that Donnie Nietes is a dangerous opponent who posseses excellent technique with defense, who knows how to punch without being hit.”

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Ngunit, idiniin ni Ioka na mas tuso siyang boksingero kaya dadaigin niya ang Pinoy boxer sa ibabaw ng ring.

“For me, it will be a very difficult and uncomfortable fight, but I have faith in gaining the victory with my kind of fight by boxing clever, with a clever strategy and making adjustments as the contest plays out,” dagdag ni Ioka.

Bahagyang paborito ng oddsmakers si Nietes sa pustahang 8-11 samantalang tabla lamang ang tsansa ng Hapones.

May kartada si Nietes na 41-1-5 na may 23 pagwawagi sa knockouts kumpara kay Ioka na may 23 panalo, 1 talo na may 13 pagwawagi sa knockouts.