Aldeguer discusses possible Donaire/Nietes twin bill

Jm Siasat

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Aldeguer discusses possible Donaire/Nietes twin bill
ALA Boxing head Michael Aldeguer was all smiles when asked about the prospect of putting Nonito Donaire Jr. and Donnie Nietes on the same card

MANILA, Philippines- ALA Promotions President and CEO Michael Aldeguer was all smiles when asked about the prospect of putting Nonito Donaire Jr. and Donnie Nietes on the same card.

Reports from various sources indicated that the Filipino promoter is working to get Donaire and Nietes to co-headline an event after being granted a license to promote in California, USA.

“It is something that I can’t confirm nor deny,” said Aldeguer when asked if there’s any truth about the reports. “We haven’t started negotiations yet, but yes, it is something that’s out there and I think it will be great for the fans.” 

The WBA featherweight titleholder Nonito Donaire (33-2, 21 knockouts) of San Leandro, Calif. and THE RING junior flyweight champion Donnie Nietes (33-1-4, 19 KOs) of Bacolod City are two of the three current boxing world champions from the Philippines with Manny Pacquiao being the third.

Aldeguer is targeting a November ring return for Nietes in California with hopes of him making history and surpassing the late Gabriel “Flash” Elorde’s record as the country’s longest reigning world champion.

The 31-year-old Donaire won his fifth world title in as many divisions last month, knocking down South African Simpiwe Vetyeka in round four before winning on a headbutt-induced technical decision in round five. Nietes, 32, solidified his title reign with a ninth-round knockout of mandatory challenger Moises Fuentes in May.

Donaire Jr. spent part of his training camp for the Vetyeka fight at the ALA Boxing Gym in Cebu.

Bob Arum had voiced interest in promoting a twin-bill featuring Manny Pacquiao and Donaire Jr. on the same card in Macau but the idea was quickly dismissed by Pacquiao’s adviser Michael Koncz.

Arce next for Pagara?

After an impressive performance in the co-main event of Pinoy Pride 26, Albert Pagara (21-0, 15KOs) feels ready and wants to face veteran Mexican Jorge Arce next. Pagara needed just 1:18 to score three knockdowns and stop Hugo Partida to win the vacant IBF intercontinental super bantamweight title at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu on Saturday, June 21.

Aldeguer admitted that Arce is one of the names their looking at for Pagara but feels that the 20-year-old would need a few more fights before he becomes ready. 

“Albert has long been one of our most promising boxers since the amateurs where he won gold medals, but I feel he needs a few more fights before fighting Arce” says Aldeguer. 

JM Siasat is a sports journalist based in Manila, Philippines. He can be reached at jmsiasat@ymail.com. Follow him on Twitter @jmsiasat

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