Nietes Eager to Face Viloria in Sparring

The Philippines longest-reigning world boxing champion Donnie Nietes is eager to trade punches with former champion Brian Viloria in sparring as both prepare for tough fights ahead.

Nietes, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight champion, will be training in the United States for his title defense in Bacolod this November, while Viloria is preparing for his title challenge against the dangerous Roman Gonzalez, who has also been projected as a future foe for Nietes.

“It will be great because I will be able to help him and he will be able to help me also,” Nietes said.

Both Viloria and Nietes will be training at the Wild Card gym of Freddie Roach.

Viloria is the former World Boxing Association (WBA) and WBO flyweight champion but lost both crowns to Juan Francisco Estrada on June 4, 2013.

Curiously, Estrada also lost to Roman Gonzalez by unanimous decision in their WBA light flyweight title bout last Nov. 17, 2012.

Viloria, 36-4 with 21KOs, fought back into boxing conciousness with four straight wins, the latest an eight-round knockout of Omar Soto last July 25.

He will be facing an undefeated Gonzalez who has stopped 37 of his 43 foes and is one of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters.

Gonzalez knocked out former champion Edgar Sosa in just two rounds to keep his World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight belt.

On the other hand, Nietes is hoping to extend his reign with another win against a still to be determined foe in Bacolod.

“We just thought that since Donnie will be training at the Wild Card gym and Viloria trains there also, it would be a good idea for them to help each other out,” ALA promotions president Michael Aldeguer said.

“I can test him with my technique and style, while he can test me how fast and how powerful he really is,” said Nietes, who is 36-1-4 with 21 KOs.

Nietes will leave for the US in the final week of September. (PNA) LAP/EB/MP/EDS