Negrense Donnie “Ahas” Nietes will defend his World Boxing Organization mini-flyweight title against WBO No. 9 Nicaragua's Eddy Castro in another 12-round war tonight at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Cebu City.

The Nietes-Castro fight will precede the championship encounter between Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and Mexican Eden Marquez for the WBO Intercontinental bantamweight title.

The pride of the boxing clan from the town of Murcia who later migrated to Bacolod City, will defend his title after almost a year of being away from the boxing ring.

A win against Castro tonight will improve Nietes present record of 22-1-3 win-loss-draw card with 13 knockouts. He wound his WBO belt Sept. 30 last year by beating Thailand’s Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym in a fight also held in Cebu.

Meanwhile, Boom Boom Bautista will try to redeem himself in the eyes of his critics who started doubting his talent after his first-round loss to Daniel Ponce de Leon last month’s WBO bout against Mexican Eden “Anestescista” Marquez.

Dubbed as "WBO Night of Champions", the battle of punches among WBO’s prized boxers will also feature lightweight 8-round fight between Filipino Jason Pagara and Thailand’s Kongdej Sithrajtrakan and another 8-round pounding between Joseph Omanz and Roger Galicia in the superbantam division.

Superfeather fight will be between Weng Haya and Ricky Sismundo while Rey Las Piñas will face Gideon Amba in the 6-round superfly bout. Jerson Mancio and Mario Suson will slug it out in the 6-round Junior flyweight division while JV Tuazon will face Albert Villacampa in the flyweight bout.

Made possible by ALA Promotions headed by its president Michael Aldaguer, the “WBO Night of Champions” is touted to be one of the biggest boxing events in Cebu this year.

Meanwhile, philboxing.com reported that “war of words” erupted between Bautista and Marquez in yesterday’s final press conference prior to tonight’s battle.

Bautista and Marquez exchanged sharp looks and even sharper words when called at the center of the presidential table for a staredown for the media, the report said.

Marquez was quoted saying his only mission in going to Cebu is to win the title, adding that he trained two months for the fight against Bautista.

Appearing calm all throughout the press conference, Bautista said he will give his all to prevent Marquez from taking the title from him.

"You have to kill me first before you get this title. I will meet you tomorrow, and be sure to be ready because I am," the Bohol-raised Bautista in Cebuano said.*NAB

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