ED C. TOLENTINO

in 12 rounds. The 26-year-old Estrada is a superb ring tactician who gave Gonzalez a tough fight before losing on points in 2012. Gonzalez, on the other hand, just happens to be recognized as the best “pound-for-pound” fighter in boxing today. Gonzalez packs power in both hands and is a three-division (minimum weight, light flyweight and flyweight) titlist.

Nietes was supposed to jump straight into a showdown with Estrada but the Mexican was ordered by the WBA to make a mandatory title defense against Japanese Kasuto Ioka within the year. Instead of waiting for the result of Estrada-Ioka fight, Nietes is taking the time available to have a tune-up fight against Sosa.

The 37-year-old Sosa is a former WBC light flyweight champion who was knocked out by Gonzalez in 2015 in a bid for the WBC flyweight champion- ship. Sosa did not return to the ring until February this year, when he decisioned journeyman Orlando Guerrero in a sixround bout. Sosa had seen better days and Nietes is a lock to dispatch the Mexican in a wink of an eye.

The plan calls for Nietes to challenge the winner of the Estrada-Ioka fight next year. If Nietes gets past this hurdle, he will likely go after Gonzalez, that is if the Nicaraguan is still available at flyweight. As of this writing, Gonzalez is booked to move up to super flyweight (115 lbs.) on September 10 to face WBC champion Carlos Cuadras (35-0, 27 knockouts) of Mexico. If Gonzalez beats Cuadras for his 4th division title, Nietes may have no choice but to challenge the Nicaraguan at 115 lbs.

A showdown with Gonzalez is the super fight Nietes longs for. The fighters have been embroiled in a wild goose chase for some time now, with Gonzalez claiming some two years ago that Nietes turned down a proposed showdown. It may take some time to happen, but the fight with Gonzalez is the one that will put Nietes in the consciousness of international fight fans. For comments, the writer can be reached at