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Donnie Nietes Set to Headline “Pinoy Pride” at The Stubhub Center Against Edgar Sosa

DNBy Anthony “Stacks” Saldaña

WBO Light Flyweight Champion, Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, 38-1-4, 22 KO’s is not only a boxing legend in his island country of the Philippines, but he also the longest reigning Filipino World Champion. Nietes who hasn’t lost a fight since 2004, looks to impress Southern California fans this Saturday at the Stubhub Center in a card labeled “Pinoy Pride.” Nietes is set to battle tough Mexican veteran and former WBC Light Flyweight Champion, Edgar Sosa, 52-9, 30 KO’s for the vacant WBO Inter-Continental Flyweight Title. Nietes who was captured titles at Minimum-weight, and Light Flyweight is moving up in weight in hopes of having a super fight in 2017 with four division and current WBC Flyweight and Super Flyweight Champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, or a title shot against the WBA and WBO Champion Juan Francisco “El Gallo” Estrada. For Nietes this will only be his second fight in the United States, last October, Nietes defended his title at the Stubhub against Juan Alejo.

Sosa who has had a storied career fighting some of the greats at light flyweight was knocked out last May at the Forum in Inglewood, when he took on “Chocolatito” Gonzalez. Now the soon to be 38 year old Sosa looks to shock Nietes and make one more push to become a world champion. With a victory Nietes will have titles in three divisions and when asked about moving up in weight Nietes stated “I’ve been training since June. I’m comfortable at this weight. I already have speed. Now I’ll focus more on power because I’m moving up in weight. Sosa is a good boxer. He’s a former world champion and is the WBC #4 ranked fighter. He’s tough but I’m ready for this fight. Watching Sosa he moves good and comes in and out. I want to show you a good Donnie Nietes to prove I deserve a shot at the best and fight the best.”

In the Co-main event WBO Asian Pacific Bantamweight Champion, “King” Arthur Villanueva, 29-1, 15 KO’s will battle Juan Jimenez, 22-10, 15 KO’s in a highly anticipated rematch. The first match between Villanueva and Jimenez went back and forth with Villanueva hitting the canvas in the second round stunning the Filipino crowd inside of the La Salle Coliseum in Bocolod City. Villanueva returned the favor in the third round. The end came in the controversial fourth when the two boxers accidentally clashed heads, the headbutt knocked Jimenez out cold and Referee Dan Nietes didn’t see the clash of heads. The referee counted out Jimenez to the dismay of his corner, giving Villanueva a KO victory. After the fight ALA Promotions International CEO Michael P. Aldeguer said. “We all know how it ended up. I think both boxers deserve a chance to prove themselves again especially Arthur. The boxing fans also deserve the rematch.” Now the stage is set this Saturday as this fight is sure to be an all action affair.

Also on the card at the Stubhub Center is highly touted and undefeated WBO International Featherweight Champion Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo,14-0, 11KO’s. Magsayo was supposed to be fighting prospect Ruben Garcia, but Garcia pulled out due to an injury last Saturday. Magsayo will now battle Ramiro “Zurdo” Robles, 13-5-1, 8 KO’s. Robles a 23 year old southpaw from Guanajuato, Mexico lost a 10 round unanimous decision to Joseph “JoJo” Diaz in a featherweight 10 round bout on July 9th , 2014. then in May of 2015 Robles dropped a unanimous shutout 8 round decision to Diego De La Hoya and last July, Robles lost a lopsided decision to unbeaten Golden Boy Promotions prospect Oscar Negrete in a super bantamweight contest. Coming off from a spectacular win against former world challenger Chris “The Hitman” Avalos last April on the Donaire-Bedak fight card Magsayo looks to continue to make name for himself with a victory over Robles. Magsayo has been labeled by many Filipino fans as the next Manny Pacquaio. Magsayo is currently ranked #9 by the WBO and has been training at the famed Wild Card Gym in Hollywood. Fans should look for Magsayo to be fighting a top 10 Featherweight in 2017 and to be on a head on collision course with the rising Mexican star and WBO World Featherweight Champion, Oscar Valdez.

Other bouts include:

Joel Siapno, 2-1, 2 KO’s Vs Issac Freeman, 2-3-1, 2KO’s (4 Rounds) Super Welterweight
Bengar Garcia (debut) Vs Latorie Woodberry, 0-2-1 (4 Rounds) Welterweight
Cesar Hernandez 1-1, Vs Martin Murillo, 0-1 (4 Rounds) Super Welterweight
Ezra Hernandez (debut) Vs Abraham Calderon Ruiz, 0-3 (4 Rounds) Super Welterweight

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