WBO light flyweight champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes who defends his title against Mexican banger Carlos Velarde at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino on November 15 is in amazing shape according to strength and conditioning coach Nick Curson.
The well-known American who was credited for Nietes? awesome showing in his mandatory rematch with Moises Fuentes whom he dropped three times in the 9th round to win by a knockout, told the Manila Standard/Viva Sports that Nietes ?is in far better shape than in his last fight and has put on a noticeable increase in size.?
Curson believes that Nietes ?is really entering his prime and will display the same power and speed as he did in his last fight but with superior endurance and a few new tricks up his sleeve.?
Curson said he expects Nietes ?to win decisively.?
He said former world flyweight title challenger Milan Melindo who is moving down to light flyweight and will face world-rated Saul Juarez ?looks very powerful in training.?
Curson noted that Melindo?s ?power during his sparring sessions has improved greatly? even as he added, ?I won?t be surprised if he wins this fight by knockout.?
The third fighter who will be featured on the tremendously successful ?Pinoy Pride? series 28th edition is IBF Intercontinental bantamweight champion Price Albert Pagara who is believed to be facing the toughest challenge of all against the experienced Raul Hirales of Mexico.
The well-known strength and conditioning coach told us that while Pagara has a tough opponent, they?ve been ?working a lot on his footwork and speed and he looks great.?
Curson conceded ?I am just barely scratching the surface with Prince Albert and I know he has world champion potential.?
The ?Pinoy Pride? fight card which is a joint undertaking of the famed ALA Promotions and the giant broadcast network ABS-CBN will be telecast at 10:15 a.m. on November 16 over the pre-eminent Channel 2 with a replay at 7:00 p.m. on ABS-CBN?s Sports and Action channel.
Former OPBF flyweight champion Rocky ?Road Warrior? Fuentes is scheduled to fight WBA champion Roman ?Cocholito? Gonzales in Japan on November 22 and has also been working very hard under Curson who said ?Rocky has been a pleasant surprise to work with. He is very dedicated, trains hard and adapts quickly.?
Curson remarked that the endurance of Fuentes ?is perfect while his power is coming around nicely and his agility and footwork have improved.?
The strength and conditioning coach said ?I?m a realist and I know Rocky is a heavy underdog in his fight against champion Gonzales. I can only predict that Rocky will be stronger and better conditioned than Gonzales but skill-wise Gonzales is a legend? even as he predicted ?this will be an exciting fight and I can?t think of an outcome that will surprise me.?
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