MANILA: Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, the longest reigning Filipino world champion, has vowed to be patient and methodical in his battle against Mexican Edgar Sosa for the World Boxing Organization inter-continental flyweight crown on Sept. 24 at StubHub Center in Carson, California.
“Dahan-dahan lang (I’ll do it slowly),” Nietes was quoted as saying by Inquirer on the strategy he’s going to adapt against the former world champion in the headliner of Pinoy Pride 38: Philippines vs. Mexico.
While familiar with his opponent’s fighting style, having watched several video tapes of Sosa’s fights, including those against Rodel Mayol and Brian Viloria, Nietes reportedly said he can’t afford to be complacent.
“Magaling at malakas (He’s good and strong),” said Nietes, who’ll be leaving for the US Saturday with his coach Edmund Villamor.
Accompanying them are the other prime prospects of Ala boxing stable, Mark Magsayo and “King” Arthur Villanueva, both of whom are seeing action in the fight card jointly undertaken by ALA International, ABS-CBN Sports and The Filipino Channel, the report said.
Nietes (38 wins, 22 by knockout, one loss and four draws) has been training since June with emphasis on enhancing his power, improving his timing, and increasing his speed, it said, adding that he has been sparring with bigger guys like Villanueva, a bantamweight, and Jonas Sultan, a super flyweight.
Nietes intends to impress as he’d been promised by ALA president and CEO Mike Aldeguer a crack at WBO and World Boxing Association flyweight king Juan Francisco Estrada (33-2, 24 KOs) if he gets past Sosa (52, 30 KOs-9), reported Inquirer.
