WBO World Light Flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes (37-1-4, 21 KOs) is set to defend his title back in his hometown as he headlines Pinoy Pride 36: “A Legend in the Making” happening this May 28, 2016 at the University of Saint La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod City.
Nietes, who has surpassed Gabriel “Flash” Elorde to become the longest-reigning Filipino world champion in 2014, returns to the island of his birth to fight for the third time, facing former IBF minimumweight champ Raul Garcia (38-3-1, 23 KOs).
“Rayito” is coming of a five-fight winning streak after failing to capture the vacant WBC Silver light flyweight belt against one-time WBC world light-flyweight champion Pedro Guevara.
Joining Nietes are fellow ALA stablemates Milan Melindo and Arthur Villanueva, attempting to start winning streaks anew as they face Javier Mendoza and Juan Jimenez respectively.
“El Metodico” Melindo (33-2, 12 KOs) seeks to redeem himself in the rematch of their May 2015 affair wherein he lost via controversial stoppage in Baja California, Mexico. On the other hand, Mendoza (24-3-1, 19KOs) aims to return to his winning ways following his losing the IBF world flyweight belt to current champion Akira Yaegashi at the expense of Melindo.
Another proud Negrense, “King” Arthur Villanueva (28-1-0, 14 KOs) returns to action since claiming the vacant WBC International super flyweight belt last November as he faces the dangerous Jimenez (22- 9-0, 15 KOs) who is coming of three straight knockout victories after losing to Vic Darchinyan in February of 2015.
