By Jake Donovan

Donnie Nietes puts his junior flyweight title—as well as his reputation as the best 108 lb. fighter on the planet—on the line as he embraces the challenge of former strawweight titlist Francisco Rodriguez Jr. 

The battle of little big men takes place Saturday evening (local time) in Cebu, Philippines, airing on ABS-CBN in Philippines and via same-day tape delay later Saturday evening on beIn Sport Español in the United States (12AM ET/9PM PT).

Nietes (35-1-4, 21KOs) has held at least one title every year since 2007, a run spanning two weight classes. The 33-year old Filipino claimed a strawweight belt in Sept. ’07, riding an early knockdown to the finish line in a unanimous decision over then-unbeaten Pornsawan Porpramook in a 12-round war—the only way Porpramook knows how to fight.

Four successful defenses followed for Nietes, mixed in with stay-busy above-weight fights before moving up for good in 2011. A 12-round win over Ramon Garcia in Oct. ’11 netted him the junior flyweight title he still possesses and proudly defends on Saturday. 

The signature win among Nietes’ current reign came against a familiar foe, knocking out Moises Fuentes in their rematch last May. The two had fought to a draw 14 months prior, but Nietes dominated the sequel, flooring the rangy Mexican boxer-puncher three times in forcing the stoppage.

All told, Nietes comes in riding a 27-fight unbeaten streak since the lone loss of his career way back in 2004. His most recent win came in March, stopping Gilberto Parra in the 9th round on a show that also included a Philippines homecoming for former four-division champ Nonito Donaire.

Rodriguez Jr. (17-2-1, 11KOs) returns to the Philippines for the second time in his last three starts after having never previously fought outside of The Americas. 

The 22-fight year fighting pride of Monterrey, Mexico was well on his way to a career year in 2014, one that included back-to-back title wins. Prior to his showdown with Merlito Sabillo, Rodriguez Jr. was merely just another name on the résumé of unbeaten wunderkind Román Gonzalez, suffering a knockout loss in their Sept. ’13 bout in Nicaragua.

A mere three fights later, Rodriguez was a strawweight titlist, knocking out previously unbeaten Merlito Sabillo in the 10th round of a stunning upset last March at home in Monterrey. His next bout also took place at home, one that would go in the books as 2014 Fight of the Year, outlasting Katsunari Takayama over 12 furious and savage rounds in their unification bout.

In addition to coming out top in the best fight of 2014, Rodriguez Jr. also warranted mention in the Fighter of the Year race. That was, of course, until barely avoiding disaster as he was held to a 10-round draw with Filipino journeyman Jomar Fajardo last November. 

The bout was his first fight in Philippines, coming in at a career-heaviest 113 lbs. and looking at his worst as he was fortunate to not take a loss on the night. Rodriguez Jr. fared much better in their rematch just two months later, claiming a 10—round win this past January in Chiapas, Mexico, his last bout to date. 

Read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes Saturday's junior flyweight action goes down.

BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS: DONNIE NIETES vs. FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ JR.

Jake Donovan (Nietes Dec.): I was holding out hope for Rodriguez until turning up skeletal (in addition to his arriving very late) at Friday's weigh-in. At some point Nietes will run into a stronger, younger foe that will end his incredible years-long run he's enjoyed. Just not sure it happens here.

Michael Gibbons (Nietes UD):  Nietes is too much for Rodriguez.

Takahiro Onaga (Nietes UD): Rodriguez was one of the breakout fighters of 2014 but he floundered when he went to the Philippines at the end of the year against Fajardo. I think Nietes make him flounder and takes the win here.

Cliff Rold (Nietes Dec.): This is one of the best matches made yet this year and a chance for Nietes to shine. One of the most underrated fighters in the world, he'll have a long night with the thick chinned and aggressive Rodriguez but Nietes' skill will make the difference.

Victor Salazar (Nietes Dec.): This could be the fight of the weekend. I'm going with the man with more experience and size in Donnie Nietes to won a decision on his home country of the Phillipines.

Alexey Sukachev (Nietes KO10): Rodriguez looked sensational in the lightest weight class. But so did Nietes - in two weight divisions. He showed his strength by stopping Francisco's predecessor Moises Fuentes. And if he doesn't get old momentarily, he should find a way to stop the Mexican later on too. At least, Rodriguez didn't look like the beast in his two fights with Jomar Fajardo.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox