nietes.140421.450wPhoto:  by Dong Secuya –

Article by:  Ronnie Nathanielsz –

WBO light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes is in terrific shape for his mandatory rematch against Interim champion Moises Fuentes of Mexico in the main event of “Pinoy Pride XXV” at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.

Strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson told the BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that Nietes “looks amazing. His  physique has changed and so has his endurance which was always kind of suspect” as evidenced in his first fight against Fuentes when Nietes appeared to fade in the last couple of rounds which was aggravated by two cuts he suffered above his eyebrows.

Curson revealed that they had done some “altitude training” using a simulator which he brought from the US and has used for the last month. He indicated that as a result of his overall training regimen Nietes “looks phenomenal.”

He said Nietes “has been sparring with some great guys such as Milan Melindo and former IBF light flyweight champion Johnreil Casimero who lost his title on the scales last week when he came in five pounds over the 108 limit.

The strength and conditioning coach told us that in his first fight with Fuentes, Nietes “tired out” and that now “he knows his faults and has been working on the fight strategy.”

He echoed what trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor told us and that is Nietes “looked great (in sparring) and he is ready to go. His conditioning is there and I don’t see why he can’t win.”

Curson was clearly impressed with featherweight Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista who is making a comeback after a close , twelve round split decision loss to Jose Ramirez more than one year ago.

He said Bautista has “improved so much. He was so tense, so tight in his last fight that every punch appeared it would knock him down.” Curson disclosed that the flaws have been corrected and “now he’s got head movement, his muscles are more relaxed and he looks like he is 19 again and the kid they were talking about as the next Manny Pacquiao.”

During a workout last Saturday, Curson said Bautista “ he was like a Mike Tyson. This kid was so loose and explosive. It was great to see.”

Recalling that “Boom Boom’S father “used to throw him in the water when he was 5 or 6 years old to get the fishing nets out he has known hard work his whole life” but pointed out that “brute strength doesn’t work well in boxing.”

Curson said “ you have to have a little bit of finesse, combined with a little bit of that and explosive power and that’s what we’ve been working on. I think he’ll look good in this fight and show great improvement. I think it will take one or two more fights to see what he is really capable of. I think at that point he will be a world champion. I really do.”

http://www.boxingscene.com/donnie-nietes-amazing-shape-fuentes-rematch–77638

 

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By:  Ronnie Natalnietz –

WBO light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes (32-1-4, 18 KO’s) who is preparing diligently for his rematch with mandatory challenger Moises Fuentes (19-1-1, 10 KO’s) of Mexico sparred four torrid rounds with former world light flyweight champion Giovanni Segura (31-3-1. 27 KO’s) at former world champion Daniel Ponce De Leon’s Gym.

Trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor said the sparring session went well and was a good experience for Nietes since Segura is a slugger and will suit Nietes well when he fights (mandatory challenger) Moises Fuentes” on May 10 at the Mall of Asia along Manila Bay.

Villamor said they were originally scheduled to spar six rounds but it had to be cut short since there was a another fighter who weighed 126 pounds who wanted to spar with Segura, a former No. 8 in the Ring pound for pound rankings before former WBO champion Brian Viloria battered Segura to score an 8th round TKO victory in a WBO flyweight title defense at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig Manila on December 11, 2011.

The trainer said he spoke to Segura after the sparring session and the former world champion told him “it’s is really difficult to find a sparring partner in the US that weighs below 122 pounds.” Segura himself weighs 123.

Villamor met with manager Javier Capitillo who also manages Alejandro Gonzales whom Villamor described as “good” after watching him spar in the presence of Ponce De Leon who was with his trainer Mario Morales.

He said the gym which “is properly managed by Ponce De Leon’s wife and is clean” also has several sparring partners for Filipino fighters at 122 pounds and above.

Villamor disclosed that Nietes, who will return to Manila to attend the Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Annual Awards on March 25, was working with outstanding strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson who reportedly did an excellent job with WBO minimum weight champion Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo who defends his title in Monterrey against No. 9 ranked Mexican Francisco Rodriguez Jr in a fight to be telecast by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday.

Viva Sports will telecast a pre-fight special on the Sabillo-Rodriguez Jr title clash on Pinoy Box Office (PBO) over SkyCable on Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

The special will provide highlights of four of Rodriguez’ fights which would give fight fans a chance to size up the challenger of Sabillo.

Photo: Donnie Nietes (R) and Giovanni Segura pose after their sparring session at the Daniel Ponce de Leon Gym in Mexico.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-93082.html

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By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

WBO minimumweight champion Merlito “Tiger”Sabillo knows he won’t have an easy title defense against Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr in Monterrey, Mexico on Saturday in a fight to be telecast by ABS-CBN Sports and Action over the revamped Studio 23.

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer told the Manila Standard that Sabillo watched tapes of Rodriguez’ fights “a number of times” and concedes “it won’t be an easy fight because Rodriguez can box, he is technical fighter who is smart and  can punch” as shown in his record of 9 knockouts in 13 wins with just two defeats.

Aldeguer said that he had spoken to trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor who will be in the corner of Sabillo and that he was informed “training has been perfect and it was the best training camp they ever had.”

Villamor told us that they have been concentrating on “the battle plan after watching tapes and doing some instructional punch-mitts.” He also went through the regular routine of skipping rope, shadow boxing., working om the speed ball and light bagging.”

In his strength and conditioning regimen Sabillo swam in the pool, some plyometrics, sprints, balancing and some exercises on his body to relax his muscles.”

He said they worked on the conditioning of the undefeated southpaw with strength and conditioning coach Nick Carson and that Sabillo who possesses a vicious left hook was in great shape.

Aldeguer said Sabillo, the 30 year old former street fighter from Bacolod City who is undefeated with a record of 23-0-1 with 12 knockouts “wants to make a statement and while it won’t be an easy fight Sabillo is ready to go.”

The ALA Promotions outfit didn’t take any chances and Aldeguer told us “ that’s why Merlito flew to the US to train abroad for this fight” both at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles and in the Daniel Ponce De Leon gym .

He said Sabillo has been “tapering down in San Diego and getting ready for the fight.” He will be joined by ALA Promotions vice president Dennis Canete who left for the US on Saturday night and will join the team to Mexico.

Knowing how dangerous a challenger Rodriguez is, Aldeguer said thay have “two options and in case Sabillo loses there will be a rematch.”

He said “we have everything prepared and if he does well it will be good for his career.”

Sabillo is coming off a close split draw against undefeated Carlos Buitrago of Nicaragua at the Araneta Coliseum last November 30 after scoring a one-punch, 9th round  knockout with a thunderous left hook to the ribs against Colombia’s Jorlie Estrada.

The 20 year old Rodriguez won a 5th round technical decision over Ernesto Guerrero who suffered an apparent rib injury last January 18 after going down by a 7th round TKO to Roman Gonzalez, the undefeated WBA light flyweight champion from Nicaragua  on September 21 last year.

Rodriguez also had two big wins prior to the loss to Gonzales, scoring a 3rd round TKO over Manuel Chango” Vargas on January 26, 2013 and a 5th round TKO over Victor Ruiz on July 13.

 http://www.boxingscene.com/sabillo-expects-tough-title-defense-against-rodriguez–75723

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By:  Ronnie Nathanielsz –

Undefeated Milan Melindo, mandatory challenger to WBO/WBA flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada is fit and ready to go in their title fight scheduled at the Cotai Arena of the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino in Macau on Saturday in an exciting fight card to be telecast by ABS-CBN on Sunday at 10:15 a.m, over Channel 2 with a replay on Studio 23 and global coverage over The Filipino Channel, TFC.

ALA Gym head trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor told the Manila Standard from Macau that Melindo is “ready na ready” after some light training in which he “did some jogging, shadow boxing and worked on the punch-mitts.”

Villamor said they also “lectured on the strategy” for the fight which is expected to be a tough one against Estrada who won the title from Brian Viloria last April 6 at the same arena, coming on strong in the championship rounds to clinch the victory.

Villamor said Melindo has been training harder than ever in his two-year quest for the world title and knows he is in for a hard fight.

He said the 25 year old Melindo who has a record of 29-0 with 12 knockouts “is in great shape, his conditioning is good and he’s ready to get the title.” The 23 year old Estrada who will be making his first title defense and has a record of 24-2 with 18 knockouts also had a light workout last night at the Venetian Hotel and looked good.

Headlining the card is two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time World Amateur Champion Zou Shiming who will take on Mexico’s Jesus Ortega.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-85455.html

 

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By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

Undefeated Milan Melindo, the mandatory challenger for the WBO flyweight title of Mexico’s Juan Franciscio Estrada is prepared for war against the champion who won the WBO/WBA titles with an impressive win over Brian Viloria last April 6 in Macau.

Melindo will face Estrada at the same Cotai Arena in the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino but isn’t fazed by the challenge.

ALA Promotions premier trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard they would leave for Macau on Sunday “to wind down training, adjust to the climate and environment and get ready for war.”

Villamor said Melindo is in “great condition and mentally prepared” like he always is.
Melindo who scored a smashing 4th round TKO over Indonesian toughie Tommy Seran (23-1, 14 KO’s)  on the undercard of the Estrada-Viloria title fight , impressed Top Rank promoter Bob Arum with his showing to earn the title shot on a blockbuster card that will be telecast on July 24 at 10:15 a.m. over ABS-CBN Channel 2 with a replay on Studio 23 and coverage over The Filipino Channel worldwide.

Villamor said Melindo had watched the Estrada-Viloria fight live in Macau and also reviewed some of his fight tapes. He said they saw some flaws and would capitalize on them on fight night.

However, Villamor conceded that “Estrada is fast and this will be a hard fight. But if he’s tough, we are tougher.”

The 23 year old Mexican champion has a record of 24-2 with 18 knockouts while the 25 year old Melindo, regarded as a technically efficient boxer sports a record of 29-0 with 12 knockouts.

http://www.boxingscene.com/team-melindo-estrada-tough-we-tougher–67772

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A disciplined no-nonsense fighter, undefeated Milan Melindo is determined to regain the WBO/WBA flyweight titles for the Philippines when he faces Mexico’s Juan Francisco Estrada at the Venetian Resort Hotel and Casino in Macau on July 27.

Estrada won the title from another Filipino, Brian Viloria, at the same venue last April 6 and mandatory challenger Melindo wants to bring the title back to the Philippines.

Trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor told the Manila Standard that Melindo has been training harder than ever because he knows he’s in for a tough fight against Estrada but that Melindo is in great shape and they have concentrated on his conditioning.

Villamor told us Melindo “is in great shape, his conditioning is good and he’s ready to get the title.”

The 25 year old Melindo has a record of 29-0 with 12 knockouts while the 23 year old Estrada’s record is 24-2 with 18 knockouts.

Top Rank promoter said the Top Rank promotion is “doing even better than the last time” when Viloria lost his WBO/WBA titles to Estrada in a tough fight.

The fight card will be telecast by the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN on Sunday, July 28 at 10:15 a.m.

Eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao who will return to the ring on November 23 against Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios at the same venue, will be at special ringside for the fights following a news conference earlier in the afternoon.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-85031.html

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Colombian challenger Jorlie Estrada has vowed to knock out WBO minimum weight champion Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo when they clash in the main event of “Pinoy Pride XXI” at the plush Solaire vResort Hotel and Casino in the country’s “Entertainment City’ along Manila Bay.

Estrada who arrived after a long and tiring journey on Monday night even picked the round in which he would KO Sabillo, stating “I think I will win by knockout in the seventh round” in an appearance at the PSA Forum.

Trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor played down the prediction of Estrada stating that Sabillo had trained hard and is in great shape for his first title defense before his countrymen and is
determined to put on an explosive performance.

Villamor revealed they had taught Sabillo to improve his defense to complement his aggressive, hard-hitting style.

The Colombian’s boasts don’t actually match his record since he has a mere 5 knockouts in 16 wins with 6 losses compared to the undefeated Sabillo whose record is 21-0 with 11 knockouts.

Sabillo won the title with a rousing 8th round TKO over highly-rated Colombian Luis De La Rosa in an interim title fight in Colombia last March after dropping him twice earlier in the fight. Sabillo was elevated to full champion after Moises Fuentes relinquished his title and moved up in weight to challenge WBO light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes who retained his title in a close majority draw. Ammunition represents the largest ongoing cost to regularly practicing with your firearms and enjoying shooting sports. Fortunately, there are ways to save big by buying bulk ammo online . Not only is it cheaper, but for residents of most states, it will be delivered right to your door. Online retailers, like Lucky Gunner, can easily sell millions of rounds of ammo to customers each month. Because they deal in such large quantities, they can usually offer the lowest margins on the products they sell. In other words, you’ll typcally save a lot of money by buying in bulk from an online retailer. #ammo #ammofire

Estrada who is ranked No. 6 said he had trained for almost three months and is not bothered by the fact that the fight is being held in the Philippines.

http://philboxing.com/news/story-85030.html

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By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo is ready to rip into his opponent, Jorlie Estrada of Colombia, in the Filipino’s first title defense at the plush Solaire Resort Hotel and Casino in the Philippines “Entertainment City” along Manila Bay on July 13 and has indicated he wants to put on a show in the first world title fight.at Solaire.

The fight card on the highly successful “Pinoy Pride” series of ABS-CBN and ALA Promotions will be telecast on Channel 2 on July 14 at 10:15 a.m.

The undefeated Sabillo’s trainer and former world title challenger Edito “Ala” Villamor told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that the WBO minimumweight champion who has a record of 21-0 with 11 knockouts  is “in great shape and only three pounds over the weight limit which is no problem” with some two weeks to go before fight night.

Villamor said Sabillo was scheduled to spar for the last time this week on Tuesday (yesterday) Thursday and Saturday against sparring partners who include Philippine champion Jerson Mancio and OPBF champion Arthur Villanueva as well as amateur standout Jesrey Waminal “to improve his speed and skills.”

The undefeated Villanueva (21-0, 11 KO’s) will also see action on “Pinoy Pride XXI” against hard-hitting Mexican Arturo Badillo (21-4, 19 KO’s) in a clash for the vacant WBO Asia Pacific super flyweight title.

Villamor said the 29 year old Sabillo is “a really hard puncher and dropped Luis De La Rosa twice” en route to an 8th round TKO  in their fight for the Interim title last March 9 in Colombia after which Sabillo was elevated to full champion when Moises Fuentes moved up in weight  and will get a crack at WBO light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes in a mandatory title shot after one voluntary defense by Nietes possibly in Dubai in September.

Villamor disclosed that they had been working on “improving Sabillo’s defense and doubled-up  training in this aspect of the champion’s skills.”

He also told us that Pio Solon is handling Sabill;o’s strength and conditioning whie Abet Biagan who trains the Philippine triathlon team was making sure about “proper nutrition and the food intake” of Sabillo.

http://www.boxingscene.com/sabillo-ready-batter-his-foe-first-title-defense–67439

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By Ronnie Nathanielsz –

Jorlie Estrada who challenges WBO minimumweight champion Merlito Sabillo in a breakthrough title fight at the plush Solaire Resort Hotel and Casino in the Entertainment City along Manila Bay on July 13, cannot be underestimated.

Although he has a record of 17 wins, 6 by knockouts with 6 losses, Colombian media has warned that it would be a mistake to underestimate Estrada as an opponent pointing out that he has won his last four fights including back-to-back victories  over Jorge Ballesteros including a 1st round TKO in their first encounter on March 17, 2012.

The 24 year old Colombian’s last loss was to talented Mexican Pedro Guevara who won by a 7th round TKO in a North American Boxing Federation light flyweight title fight on October 22, 2011 when he moved up in weight to face Guevara who gave IBF light flyweight champion Johnreil Casimero a tough battle before losing by a split decision in Mexico last August 4.

In his last fight on June 8 in Colombia, Estrada won by a 3rd round TKO over  Gustavo Cortes, a veteran of 39 fights.

Sabillo made a name for himself in Colombia when he scored a rousing 8th round TKO over highly fancied Luis  “Chino” De La Rosa, also of Colombia who had an impressive record of 21-1 with 12 knockouts.

Colombian media reported “that day the Filipino, almost unknown, showed his great condition and surprised everyone by his speed.

Sabillo, a hard-hitting southpaw is undefeated in 22 fights with 11 wins by knockout.
His trainer, Edito “Ala” Villamor told the Manila Standard that Sabillo has trained hard and is in great shape and is determined to put on an exciting performance as the highly-rated “Pinoy Pride” series of ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN makes its initial venture into the resort hotel and casino complex in the country’s growing entertainment city which aims to give Macau and Singapore a run for their money.

http://www.boxingscene.com/sabillo-not-underestimate-estrada-despite-record–67030

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WBO minimum weight champion Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo is ready to strike in his first title defense against Colombian challenger Jorlie Estrada at the Solaire Resort Hotel & Casino along picturesque Manila Bay’s Entertainment City on July 13.

The 29 year old Sabillo whose career blossomed after he moved under ALA Promotions is undefeated and has a record of 21-0 with 11 knockouts while the 24 year old Estrada’s record is 16-6 with 5 knockouts.Estrada has won his last four fights after suffering a 7th round TKO loss to Mexico’s Pedro Guevara who gave IBF light flyweight champion Johnreil Casimero a tough fight before dropping a narrow twelve round split decision last August 4. Estrada is coming off a 3rd round TKO of Gustavo Cortes last June 8 while Sabillo scored a stunning 8th round TKO over highly touted Luis De La Rosa also of Colombia to win the interim title last March 13 and was soon elevated to full champion after Moises Fuentes relinquished his belt and moved up to light flyweight.

Trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor told the Manila Standard that Sabillo has “looked good” in sparring and is eager to put on a show in his first title defense.

Sabillo sparred with undefeated super flyweight Arthur “El Matador” Villanueva (21-0, 11 KO’s)who will face Mexico” hard-hitting Arturo Badillo (21-4, 19 KO’s) on the Solaire fight card presented by ALA Promotions in cooperation with the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN in its immensely successful “Pinoy Pride” series.

Villamor said Sabillo also sparred with Philippine junior flyweight champion Jerson Mancio Jr _17-3-3, 8 KO’s) and Engelbert Moralde (4-1, 3 KO’s) as well as an amateur standout “primarily for speed.”

He said they have been concentrating in recent months on their fighters nutrition and food intake which runs along the suggestions made by Angel “Memo” Heredia in the case of newly crowned IBO junior bantamweight champion Edrin “The Sting” Dapudong who won the title in a rematch against Gideon Buthelezi with a sensational 1st round knockout in South Africa.

Villamor added that Sabillo who had previously won the Philippine straw-weight title with a twelve round unanimous decision in August 2010 and the vacant Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation minimum weight crown also by a unanimous decision over Rodel Tejares was in excellent shape and would have “no problem making the weight.”

http://philboxing.com/news/story-84459.html