Nietes ready vs Mexican, eyes Elorde’s record

CEBU CITY — Donnie Nietes shrugged off the pressure of possibly breaking a record held by one of the greatest Filipino fighters of all-time when he battles Mexican Carlos Velarde tomorrow in this bustling city.

Should he end up retaining his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior flyweight crown over the visiting challenger at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Nietes will be billed as the longest Filipino champion of all-time.

That distinction is currently held by the great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde when he was then the world junior lightweight title from 1960-1967.

Nietes has been a world champion since 2007. He wrested the vacant WBO minimumweight crown that year.

Four years later, he moved up to a different weight class at the 108-lb where he reigns as WBO’s current title-holder.

ALA Boxing Promotions is expecting to see its crown jewel establish the new mark that they have dubbed the 28th edition of Pinoy Pride as “History in the Making”.

But while everyone here seems to be excited over his chances of rewriting history, Nietes is focused on beating his rival.

“If I break the record, then so be it. But my focus is not to break the record, my focus is to win the fight,” Nietes said during yesterday’s press conference here.

ALA chief Michael Aldeguer is confident that Nietes will prevail in the 12-round main event that marquee fights await the 32-year- old boxer when he moves up to the 112lb flyweight division next year.

Out to foil those plans is Velarde, who is determined to make his own history.

Nine Mexicans have tried but failed to beat Nietes. Velarde is out to break the jinx. “Nietes is a great fighter but as the rounds go by, let’s see how the fight goes and maybe I can stop him,” Velarde said through an interpreter. FIGHT LIVE ON SKYCABLE The fight will be shown live and commercial free of SKY pay-perview (PPV) – available on Skycable and Destiny Cable.

The airing starts at 5 p.m.