Negrenses will get the chance to personally witness their hometown boxing hero Donnie Nietes conquer his latest Mexican foe when the reigning WBO minimumweight titlist faces Armando Vasquez at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum on April 9.

While it is not a title bout, Nietes said it has always been his dream to fight in front of his “kasimanwas” in Negros.

The fight against Vasquez is a “tune-up”, he said as he prepares to move up from minimumweight to light flyweight.

Going into the fight against the Mexican, Nietes is sporting a 27-1-3 win-loss-draw record with 15 knockouts. Vasquez has 18 wins and five losses with four knockouts.

The battle between Nietes and Vasquez is the main event of Pinoy Pride” Battle of Champions which will also feature young and talented Filipino boxers Jason Pagara (25-1, 15 KOs) and Lorenzo “Thunderbolt” Villanueva (19-0, 18 KOs).

Pagara reigns as WBO Asia Pacific Youth lightweight champion while Villanueva is the WBO oriental featherweight titlist.

Known for his persevering attitude and dedication to his craft, Nietes earned the respect of the boxing world after he successfully defended his WBO title three times in Mexico.

Boxing pundits lauded this accomplishment as no Filipino boxer has yet made a title defense in Mexico except the unassuming pug from Bacolod City.

Born in Murcia, where he started honing his skills, Nietes is one of the prized boxers of the Cebu-based ALA Promotions of Antonio Aldeguer.

He won the WBO miniweight crown in 2007 and is the third longest reigning Filipino world champion after Luisito Espinos and Flash Elorde.*NAB

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Nietes vs. Vasquez in Bacolod April 9
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