Nietes chases another dream

DONNIE Nietes will skip his goal of becoming the longest-reigning Filipino world champion and will instead try to become a multi-division world champion like Filipino greats Manny Pacquiao and Gerry Peñalosa.

“I want to be a two-division world champion or even a four-division world champion,” said the soft-spoken reigning World Boxing Organization mini-flyweight champion.

Nietes, who ranks as the fourth longest-reigning Filipino world champion, won’t be fighting interim WBO mini-flyweight titlist Raul Garcia anymore.

He will instead challenge for a world-title fight in the light flyweight division possibly in July.

ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said they are aiming to fight for the WBO light flyweight title in July. He also said that WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel has given them the nod.

“It’s a good thing Paco noticed Donnie’s four-year reign as a world champion,” said Aldeguer.

“We will look for a world title fight right away. I talked to Paco and he said that they are willing to give Donnie a shot at the WBO 108-pound title.”

Aldeguer assured that Nietes won’t be fighting for the title in enemy territory again, like what he did in his last three title-defenses in Mexico.

“It’s going to be in the Philippines. It’s not an option for Donnie, fighting abroad,” he said.