Two-division world champion and longest-reigning Filipino world champion Donnie Nietes shows his WBO junior flyweight belt during a press conference for the Pinoy Pride 38 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino. (CONTRIBUTED)
Longest-reigning Pinoy world champion Nietes explains reason for moving up weight class
He is a two-division world champion and owns the distinction of being the longest-reigning Filipino world champion.
Donnie Nietes has achieved a lot that to say he is an accomplished boxer is very much an understatement.
But despite all the accolades and the accomplishments, the prized fighter of the ALA Boxing Gym feels he can still do more.
And in his desire to add more feathers in his cap, Nietes has decided to leave a division he has dominated–easily–and move up to a heavier weight class where bigger names await.
The new chapter of Nietes’ career will begin with what is expected to be a tough duel with former world champion Edgar Sosa in the 38th installment of the highly successful Pinoy Pride boxing series on Sept. 24 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, USA.
“I am thankful to my family, my manager and my supporters. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. They helped me achieve a lot but I believe I can still improve. I believe I can still fight for our gym and for our country,” said Nietes in explaining his decision to move up from junior flyweight (108 pounds) to the regular flyweight (112 pounds) division.
Facing a group of sportswriters at Del Sol Function Hall of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino yesterday, Nietes, who has 38 wins with 22 knockout victories, one loss and four draws, revealed he left the lighter division because he wants to challenge himself.
“I want the big names. Aside from Sosa, I also want to fight (Roman) Gonzales and (Juan Francisco) Estrada,” he said.
Trainer Edito Villamor debunked some notions that facing Sosa is some sort of a “warmup” as Nietes starts his campaign in the flyweight division.
“Sosa is a tough fighter. He is a former world champion so this is not going to be a warmup for Nietes. This is a difficult fight for him,” said Villamor.
Well-planned
Owner of 52 wins with 30 knockout victories, nine losses and no draw, Sosa is a former WBC world flyweight champion and an ex-WBC international flyweight king.
Nietes’ decision to move up to flyweight division is well-calculated and well-planned.
“It is not simple. Donnie moved up not because he just wanted to. It was planned carefully because that’s a four-pound difference,” said co-trainer Edmund Villamor.
“Moving up to a heavier division is a big challenge because we have to increase Donnie’s power without affecting his speed. He has to be more powerful but should not be slower,” Villamor explained.
Nietes is not short of confidence against Sosa.
“I like my chances. If (Rodel) Mayol and (Brian) Viloria were able to withstand him, why can’t I?” said Nietes.
Sosa won by majority decision over Viloria in April 14, 2007 but lost to the Cebuano Mayol via TKO in Nov. 21, 2009.
“I am working hard for this fight and I’ll do everything to win it,” said Nietes, who will leave for the US on Aug. 20 to train at the Wildcard Gym of famed trainer Freddie Roach.