Nietes, Fuentes eye legacy

IT isn’t just a grand golden belt that is at stake, but rather a legacy of two world champions. Donnie Nietes is defending his World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight crown against WBO mini-flyweight titleholder Moises Fuentes in a bout of current world champions this Saturday night at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.

Nietes, who is one of the best in the lower weight divisions, is chasing a record held by one of the best Filipino boxers in history – Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, the longest reigning Filipino world champion.

The 27-year-old Fuentes, on the other hand, wants to prove that he can be one of the all-time best boxers from Mexico when he beats a future great in Nietes.

“My motivation is to show who is the best. To be the best you’ve got to beat the best.

Donnie is a legend and if I beat him I will be the best,” said Fuentes in the final presser yesterday at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.

This is a historic night of boxing because this is the only bout that a current world champion is facing another current world champion since 1964 when then-World Boxing Council (WBC) and World Boxing Association (WBA) super featherweight titleholder Elorde faced then-WBC and WBA lightweight king Carlos Ortiz at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila.

“This is a once in a lifetime fight. The last time that this happened (in the Philippines) was 49 years ago,” said ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer.

The 30-year-old Nietes, 31-1-3 with 17 knockouts, is unfazed by his younger and taller opponent, who has an impressive 26-1 slate with 20 knockouts.

“Let’s see on top of the ring if he will be able to knock me out. If he doesn’t knock me out then I will be the one who will knock him out,” said Nietes.

Fuentes, who has beaten Puerto Rican star Ivan Calderon, has set his eyes on the price and is confident that his hands will be raised.

“I’m not worried about knocking him out or getting knocked out. I’m here to do my job,” said Fuentes

Despite a daunting task at hand, unbeaten prospect Genesis Servania (19-0, 6 KOs) isn’t at all intimidated by his challenger, former world title contender Angky Angkota (26-8-1, 14 KOs).