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CEBU CITY, Philippines – World junior flyweight champion Donnie Nietes made the weight limit of 108 pounds on his first try, but mandatory challenger Francisco Rodriguez Jr had to strip bare naked to make weight at SM City Cebu mall on Friday, July 10.
Nietes (35-1-4, 21 knockouts) of Murcia, Negros Occidental, Philippines will be making the seventh defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) title at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City on Saturday night, while mandatory challenger Rodriguez (17-2-1, 11 KOs) of Monterrey, Mexico is looking to win a title in his second division.
Rodriguez arrived over 20 minutes late to the weigh-in, adding fuel to existing speculation that Rodriguez was having difficulty making weight. Rodriguez’s manager Jose Antonio “El Charro” Hernandez dismissed those concerns afterwards.
“He was on weight, no problem. He just got lost in the mall,” said Hernandez, who has handled Rodriguez since his third pro fight.
(FULL STORY: Nietes faces legacy enhancing challenge vs Rodriguez)
Rodriguez celebrated his 22nd birthday with what is likely his first full meal in quite some time, after fighting his last two bouts at catchweights of 110 and 113 pounds.
Nietes, who is 11 years older at 33, quickly changed into a dinner blazer to receive a special ring from World Boxing Organization president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel to commemorate the titles he has won at 105 and 108 pounds.
Nietes joins Manny Pacquiao plus former champions Joe Calzaghe and Marco Antonio Barrera among others to have received the custom-made rings.
Nietes has reigned for nearly 8 years as a champion, going 11-0-1 (5 KOs) in those fights.
In the co-featured bout, featherweight prospect Mark “Magnifico” Magsayo (10-0, 8 KOs) of Tagbilaran City, Philippines will face Rafael Reyes (16-4, 12 KOs) of Ciudad Juarez, Mexico in a 10-round bout.
Magsayo, 20, weighed in at 126 pounds while Reyes, 24, weighed 124. The fight will be contested for the IBF Youth featherweight title.
The show is being promoted by ALA Boxing and is titled Pinoy Pride 31.
– Rappler.com
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