Donnie Nietes faces Luis Ceja on March 28 at MOA Arena

MANILA, Philippines – RING magazine junior flyweight champion Donnie Nietes will defend his title against Luis Ceja on March 28 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Philippines, Nietes promoter says.

Nietes (34-1-4, 20 knockouts) of Bacolod City, Philippines has made six defenses of the WBO 108 pound title belt since moving up in weight in 2011, and knocked out Moises Fuentes in May of 2014 to gain lineal recognition.  

Ceja (26-5-3, 21 knockouts) of Tlalnepantla, Mexico has won two straight after a period between 2012 and 2014 where he lost four of his six bouts. Despite his inconsistencies, Nietes’ promoter Michael Aldeguer of ALA Boxing feels the 24-year-old is a worthy challenger for the 32-year-old champion. 

“We got the contract [on Saturday] so that’s confirmed already,” said Aldeguer. “We’ve heard a lot about him, he can punch. I think it’s something that we feel would be a good fight for Donnie. He’s a Mexican and a lot of people want to watch a Mexican and a Filipino fighting.” 

(RELATED: Donnie Nietes: The biggest little man in Philippine boxing)

The bout would be a final voluntary defense before Nietes faces former WBO strawweight titleholder Francisco Rodriguez Jr. in a mandatory defense. Rodriguez (17-2-1, 11 KOs) avenged an earlier draw with Filipino boxer Jomar Fajardo over the weekend, dropping him once en route to a unanimous decision.

Aldeguer says a fight between Nietes and Rodriguez could take place in June, with negotiations likely to begin this coming week. 

Nietes’ team opted against previous plans to move to flyweight to challenge the likes of Roman Gonzalez and Juan Francisco Estrada – the division’s standard-bearers – following Nietes’ seventh round technical knockout of Carlos Velarde in November.

Also appearing on the card will be former four-division champion Nonito Donaire Jr., who will be returning to the ring for the first time since his knockout loss to Nicholas Walters. Aldeguer says “we have some names coming up” but says no opponent has been settled upon. 

The fight will be Donaire’s first in his country of birth since 2009, when he knocked out Raul Martinez in four rounds. – Rappler.com