BACOLOD CITY ? Defending World Boxing Organization (WBO) Light Flyweight Champion Ramon "Principe" Garcia of Mexico yesterday said during the media and fans day at the SM City-Bacolod that he doesn?t under estimates his challenger, the former WBO Minimumweight Champion Donnie "Ahas" Nietes, who hailed from Murcia town in Negros Occidental, Philippines.
[Ramon] Garcia, who is joined by his twin brother, Raul, in his quest to defend his crown in the challenger?s territory, is very confident of winning the fight set on October 8 at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum.
?Nietes is a former champion in the minimumweight division and we know what he can do. But, I am the reigning champion of this weight division, that?s why we have prepared well to fight him [Nietes] round by round,? Garcia stressed. ?And though he has an impressive record by beating 3 or 4 Mexican opponents but we are ready on the fight night. This will be a great battle,? the champion added.
Meanwhile, Garcia?s coach Leodegario Hontiveros said that his boxer [Garcia] is fast and aggressive. ?Raul [Garcia] has the speed and aggressiveness, and that made him a champion,? described Hontiveros.
On changing the referee
Garcia?s manager and promoter Alex Montenegro said that having Robert Byrd over Joe Cortez as the referee in the match will surely help the fight. ?After having the knowledge of Cortez taking charge of the fight, we immediately filed a complaint before the WBO. Cortez had some problems officiating Mexican fighters. And, having him in this fight will not do well,? Montenegro explained.
Meanwhile, Team Garcia is very happy how the Bacole?os accepted them. ?We are very happy with the hospitability of the Bacole?os. They are very friendly,? Montenegro said.
Garcia will again be at SM City-Bacolod today for the public work-out, where he will showcase his training styles to the public.
On Arthur ?El Matador? Villanueva medical status
After the unexpected incident last Saturday, the undefeated prospect Arthur ?El Matador? Villanueva will be coming out of the Corazon Locsin-Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital today following the successful operation on his damaged finger.
Villanueva, who was originally scheduled to face his first foreign opponent Kenyan Shaabani Madilu in the undercard of the Nietes ?Garcia title fight, accidentally sliced his left middle finger cutting a major vein on it.
The 17-year-old Albert ?Prince? Pagara has replaced Villanueva in the fight card.
The Pinoy Pride 9: WBO World Light Flyweight Championship is supported by Cobra Tunay na Lakas Energy Drink, SM City-Bacolod, SKY Cable, ABS-CBN Bacolod, L' Fisher Hotel, Palmas Del Mar Resort Bacolod, KIA Motors, Bacolod Pavillon Hotel, the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental and the City Government of Bacolod.
Photo: TEAM GARCIA. (L-R) Manager/promoter Alex Montenegro, WBO Light Flyweight Champion Ramon "Principe" Garcia, coach Leodegario Hontiveros and sparring partner Jaime Berniso from Omega gym in Cebu during the during the media and fans day at the SM City-Bacolod yesterday. NIDA BUENAFE Photo.
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