By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

Longest-reigning Filipino boxing champion Donnie ‘Ahas’ Nietes of Murcia is set to meet Bago City-born boxer Aston ‘Mighty’ Palicte on August 18 in Cebu City, where the two will fight for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight title.

Nietes discussed the prospect of meeting a fellow Negrense in the ring.

“We can’t do anything because this is what the WBO wants, I just have to prepare well because Aston does the same,” he said. “I hope we will be able to deliver a good performance.”

“We will remain friends after the match,” Nietes added. “That’s our life as boxers.”

The Murcia boxer earlier gave up his International Boxing Federation flyweight title to move up a weight class, while Palicte is the reigning North America Boxing Federation super flyweight champion.

Meanwhile, ‘King’ Arthur Villanueva of Bago City is expected to feature in the undercard fights./JSG, WDJ