DONNIE Nietes will most likely fight at home for his third division world title.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said yesterday that there is a huge chance of the Nietes vs. Eaktawan Morkrunthepthonburi bout for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight title to be held at home.
“There’s a 90 percent chance that the Nietes fight will be in Cebu. The target date is April 29 either at the Waterfront or Cebu Coliseum,” Aldeguer told SunStar Cebu.
Thailand and China were front runners for the venue of the world title fight but ALA Promotions has managed to persuade their Thai counterparts to come here in Cebu City.
“There are some details that have to be ironed out but it’s already 90 percent (done),” he said.
The Nietes vs. Eaktawan fight will headline the first Pinoy Pride show of the year.
The 34-year-old Nietes, the longest reigning Filipino world champion, hopes to add a third division title to his already decorated resume.
Nietes won his first world title, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight title, back in 2007 after unanimous decision win over Pornsawan Porpramook at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino.
He then won his second division crown, the WBO light flyweight belt, in 2011 after a unanimous verdict over Raul Garcia-Hirales at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City.
Nietes, 39-1-4 with 22 knockouts, earned an early ticket for a third division world title after compatriot Johnriel Casimero vacated the belt to move up in weight.
Nietes is ranked No. 3 in the IBF, while Eaktawan, 22-3 with 15 knockouts, is No. 4.
Also seeing action in the undercard of the Nietes vs. Eaktawan show are Mark Magsayo and Jason Pagara.