AFTER his successful debut last year in the flyweight division, Murcia, Negros Occidental-native Donnie Nietes (39-1-4 with 22 KOs) is eyeing the International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight belt vacated by another Filipino champion Johnriel Casimero.
The longest reigning Filipino champion and current World Boxing Organization (WBO) Inter-Continental flyweight title holder will face International Boxing Federation No. 4 Eaktawan Krungthepthonburi (22-3 win-loss record with 15 knockouts) of Thailand sometime this March or April.
Nietes, who has a fruitful career in the minimumweight and light flyweight divisions, considers this development as a wonderful opportunity for him.
“This is a big blessing because I really wanted to have a world title fight. I’m very excited to prepare as I want to win my third world title,” he added.
ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer said they received a letter from the IBF about the Nietes-Krungthepthonburi match for the world championship.
Aldeguer added that they want the fight to be held in Cebu, but they are also open to fighting in either Thailand or China.
“This fight is dangerous but Donnie has fought thrice in Mexico, which is much tougher, and when he was younger, in Indonesia,” he said. (HGD)