AFTER making history in Mexico, World Boxing Organization mini-flyweight king Donnie “Ahas” Nietes will have a warm welcome as he is set to arrive in the Philippines today.
Nietes, 28, will be landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 5:30 in the morning, along with trainers Edito and Edmund Villamor, and ALA Promotions vice-president Dennis Cañete. They will be fetched by ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer.
Not this time
In previous arrivals, after fights outside of the country, Nietes usually entered the country under the radar, but now it will be different as he has been invited to a courtesy call with President Benigno Aquino III and as a guest for a morning show in the GMA network.
“(Nietes) will be in live interviews in Unang Hirit in GMA-7.
Yes, there are plans to visit Malacañang,” Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.
Nietes achieved what no other Filipino has ever done, winning three world title fights in Mexico against a Mexican, after a successful fourth title defense against Mario Rodriguez last Sunday.
Nietes beat the 21-year-old Mexican challenger after a 12-round unanimous decision in the sweltering Auditorio Luis Estrada Medina in Guasave, Sinaloa.
Legend
Nietes also stopped the recent string of losses of Filipino fighters in world title fights in Mexico and is closing in on surpassing Ben Villaflor as fourth longest reigning Filipino world champion. The legendary Flash Elorde is at the top of the list with a seven-year and three-month reign.
Nietes along with his team is set to return to Cebu City on Friday at 10:30 in the morning.
Nietes is scheduled to defend his crown, for the fifth time, in the Philippines in December this year.