WBO Light Flyweight champion Donnie Nietes and WBO minimumweight king, Merlito Sabillo, will put their title belt at stake at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight, November 30, 2013. Both boxers will dedicate their title-defense to the victims of super typhoon Yolanda.
The 31-year-old Donnie Nietes will face Mexico’s Sammy “Gutty” Gutierrez, one of the boxer considered by Nietes to be his tune-up opponent before his highly-anticipated rematch with Mexican rival Moises Fuentes.
The former utility man at the ALA Boxing Gym, Donnie “Ahas” Nietes proved himself in the ring as he previously captured the WBO minimumweight title before earning his current world title, the WBO Light Flyweight champion.
The undefeated Merlito Sabillo (23-0) on his part will be going up against Nicaraguan Carlos Buitrago (27-0). Aside from Nietes and Sabillo, there are four other Filipino boxers pursuing a world title will see action in this boxing extravaganza presented by ALA Boxing Promotions and dubbed “Filipinos Kontra Latinos.”
Milan Melindo will go up against Mexico’s Jose Alfredo Rodriguez for the WBO International Flyweight title; Jason Pagara will face Vladimir Baez of the Dominican Republic for the WBO International Light Welterweight title; AJ “Bazooka” Banal collides with Puerto Rico’s Lucian Gonzalez; and Jimrex Jaca will face Indonesian foe Wellem Reyk.
According to the Filipino boxers, the recent victory of Manny Pacquiao against Brandon Rios serves as motivation to them. They will dedicate their respective games to the countless victims of super typhoon Yolanda.
