Negrense world boxing champion Donnie Nietes will risk his World Boxing Organization minimum weight crown against mandatory challenger Daniel Reyes of Colombia on April 18 in Dubai .

This was confirmed to the DAILY STAR by Nietes' promoter, Michael Aldeguer, who was among the guests during the Philippine Sportswriters' Association awards Saturday night.

Nietes of Bacolod City and Murcia town, Negros Occidental was also an awardee along with fellow Negrense world champion Gerry Peñalosa of San Carlos City .

Michael Aldeguer said they are grooming Nietes to have big-time fights in the United States should he dispose the 35-year-old Reyes, who holds a record of 39 wins (30 KOs , 5-losses and 1-draw).

The fight card will be headlined by the world flyweight title fight between Filipino world champion Nonito Donaire Jr. and Australian foe Hussein Hussein.

Boxing website www.boxrec.com said the Reyes-Nietes fight is still subject to the approval of the WBO, although Aldeguer said that the bout is already a done deal.

Nietes will be training at the gym of Antonio Aldeguer in Cebu in preparation for his first title defense since winning the title over Thailand's Sor Vorapin in Cebu City in September last year.

"He (Reyes) is strong but I will be ready for the fight," Nietes said.

Reyes is coming off a unanimous decision win over compatriot John Alberto Molina in Aug. 18, 2007 in Cartagena , Colombia . Prior to that fight, he bowed to Giovanni Segura by knockout in June 8, 2007 in Indiana .

There had been talks that Nietes' first defense will be held in Bacolod early this year but with Aldeguer's announcement, a fight during the first quarter of 2008 in Bacolod is already far-fetched.*CPT

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