Nietes up against mysterious rival

Mexican puncher Juan Alejo, who has been handpicked to challenge Donnie Nietes for the Filipino’s world lightflyweight title on Oct. 17 in the US, is shrouded in mystery.

Alejo, rated No. 7 by the World Boxing Organization, has a 21-3 win-loss record with 13 KOs and was tapped to meet Nietes when he defends the WBO 108-lb crown at the StubHub Center in Carson, California.

Michael Aldeguer, whose ALA Boxing is staging the Nietes-Alejo headliner dubbed Pinoy Pride 33, has also picked three other rising stars − superbantam Prince Albert Pagara and his elder brother, super-lightweight Jason and featherweight Mark Magnifico, see action against Hispanic foes.

Alejo, who comes from the small city of Guadalupe in Nuevo Leon, seems to be an unknown commodity even to the keen observers of Mexican boxing.

“(Alejo) is not a very known guy,” said Mexican scribe Salvador Rodriguez, who writes for ESPN Deportes.

Alejo is so obscure that he has fought almost exclusively in his hometown and the Nietes match will be his first beyond Mexican soil.

But Nietes believes it will be foolish to take somebody like a young lion for granted.

“Di dapat balewalain,” said Nietes, who sports a 36-1-4 slate with 21 KOs.

Although the 24-year-old Alejo is a relative unknown, the challenger has fought one guy Nietes had met before.