THE longest-reigning Filipino world champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes feels like a young man in his twenties a month before he takes another crack at becoming a four-division world champion.
“I’m just 24 (years old),” Nietes said in jest when asked about his age in a press conference at the Summit Hotel in Cebu City.
The 36-year-old Nietes will trade leathers with the 29-year-old Japanese star Kazuto Ioka for the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight belt on Dec. 31 in Macao. Nietes fought for that same vacant title against compatriot Aston Palicte last September in California, USA that ended in a controversial split draw.
The joke of Nietes is somehow true in the ring, and it was attested by his trainer Edmund Villamor.
“His performance is really on a high level. I can see it in our sparring sessions that he’s not getting tired. He doesn’t box like a 36-year-old,” Villamor said of Nietes in Cebuano. “I can see it in his sparring sessions against Jeo, Arthur, and his sparring partners.”
Villamor was referring to some of Nietes sparring partners in youthful puncher Jeo Santisima and ex-world title challenger Arthur Villanueva.
Villamor attributed this performance to the dedication of Nietes in staying fit even after a fight.
“He’s really a disciplined boxer. After a fight, he will not bulk up and will maintain his weight. He also does cross training like biking and basketball. He’s a dedicated fighter,” said Villamor.
Nietes, who has a record of 41-1-5 with 23 knockouts, will get another chance to join Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire as the only Filipino fighters who have won world titles in four different divisions if he overcomes Ioka on New Years’ eve.
“That’s what I’ve been working hard to achieve, to win in four different divisions,” said Nietes. “I know Ioka is a skillful boxer and madiskarte in the ring. He’s not an easy opponent. This is going to be a great fight.”
Ioka, who has a record of 23-1 with 13 knockouts, is fresh from his unanimous decision victory over Puerto Rican McWilliams Arroyo last September. Just like Nietes, Ioka is chasing history as he wants to be the first Japanese boxer to be a four-division world champion.
Villamor said that they have not left any stone unturned on their preparation and believes that his ward will win this fight.
“I believe he will win 100 percent but we will not be complacent because Ioka is also a three-division champion. This fight will determine who will become a four-division champ between the two,” he said.
Nietes made his pro debut on April 25, 2003--15 years ago--and won his first title, the WBO minimumweight belt on Sept 30, 2007. He beat Ramon Garcia Hirales for the WBO light flyweight belt on Oct. 8, 2010. On April 29, 2017, he became a three-division champion after winning the vacant IBF flyweight title against Kmgrich Nantapech. (RSC)