MANILA – Negrense fighters Donnie Nietes and Aston Palicte will fight each other for the vacant WBO world super flyweight championship on July 21.
The WBO has mandated Nietes, a native of Murcia, Negros Occidental, and Palicte of Bago City to face each other for the title vacated by Japanese Naoya Inoue.
“Please be advised the parties have 10 days to negotiate an agreement for the Vacant WBO World Jr. Bantamweight Championship bout between Donnie Nietes vs. Aston Palicte,” the WBO said Tuesday night in a letter sent to the boxers’ promoters.
“If an accord is not reached within the time frame stated herein, a Purse Bid will be ordered,” it added. “The winner of the contest must face the Mandatory Challenger designated by the Championship Committee within 90 days from the date of the bout.”
ALA Boxing Promotions’ Michael Aldeguer, who handles Nietes, said they welcome the order and will try to strike a deal with Palicte’s camp immediately.
“I’m looking at a July 21 date for this fight, which can be held in Cebu – at the Cebu Coliseum to accommodate more fans. But it depends on the other party. I am also open to have the fight in the US,” Aldeguer said.
Nietes (41-1-4 win-loss-draw with 23 stoppage victories) is coming from a successful defense of his IBF world title against Mexico’s Juan Carlos Reveco.
On the other hand Palicte (24-2-0, 20 knockout wins) is coming from a technical-knockout defeat to Mexican Jose Alfredo Rodriguez for the NABF super flyweight title.
If the fight gets formalized, this will be the second All-Filipino world championship clash this year after IBF junior bantamweight champion Jerwin Ancajas’ title defense against mandatory challenger Jonas Sultan this coming May 26./PN
