NEWLY-minted four-division world champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes of ALA Boxing Gym is hoping for a fight against Roman Gonzalez, insisting it would be a great one for the boxing fans.
“It’s my dream fight,” said Nietes in a press conference at the St. Mark Hotel on Thursday, Jan. 3, days after putting his name alongside Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire Jr. in an elite list of Filipino fighters who won titles in four divisions.
Nietes became a four-division champion with a split victory over Japanese star Kazuto Ioka on New Year’s eve at the Wynn Palace Cotai in Macau. Nietes remains undefeated in the last 14 years.
Nietes also won titles in the minimumweight (105 pounds), light flyweight (108 pounds), flyweight (112 pounds) divisions before adding a super flyweight (115 pounds) belt.
“I’ve been aching to fight Gonzales. I hope this time we will meet in the ring. It will still be a good matchup because of his style. He’s very aggressive and I’m a counter-puncher,” said Nietes, who holds a record of 42-1-5 with 23 knockouts.
The Nicaraguan Gonzales, a four-division champion himself, has a record of 47-2 with 39 knockouts and is currently ranked No. 2 in the WBC and No. 5 in the WBA in the super flyweight division. Gonzales is a former pound-for-pound king and went undefeated.
He won his first 46 fights before losing back-to-back to Wisaksel Wangik. He beat Moises Fuentes in five rounds in his last fight on Sept. 15, 2018. Fuentes also lost to Nietes in nine rounds in Donnie’s defense of his WBO light flyweight title on May 10, 2014.
“I think there’s interest (on the camp of Gonzales) especially that Donnie is a champion,” said Edmund Villamor when asked if it’s possible that the fight will happen.
Edito Villamor, ALA Boxing Gym’s head trainer and match matchmaker of ALA Promotions International, believes his ward has so much to show even at 36 years old.
“He has a lot left. It is because of his self-discipline. He continues to be in shape even after the fight. That shows how dedicated he is in his craft. He respects the coach and listens to advice,” Villamor said of Nietes.
“Most of the boxers fight until 40 years old. I think I will fight until that age also. But it will always depend on my condition,” said Nietes, fighting pride of Murcia, Negros Occidental.
Nietes defeated Ioka with scores of 118-110 and 116-112 for him and 116-112 for the opponent.
“I’m happy that I was able to make a legacy as a four-division champion. To be in the record with Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire makes me happy and accomplished,” said Nietes.