Donnie “Ahas” Nietes of ALA Boxing shows off his titles at The Park Social during a party to celebrate his 10th year being a world champion. (CDN PHOTO/ CHRISTIAN MANINGO)
Donnie “Ahas” Nietes has had one of the more colorful and successful boxing careers in the country.
The 35-year-old Murcia, Negros Oriental native is the longest reigning Filipino boxing world champion, a three-division world champion, and the current IBF world flyweight king.
But just like any other successful athlete, the janitor-turned-boxer Nietes knows he’s not going to be able to stay on top forever. He admitted this during a gathering to celebrate his 10th anniversary as a world champion at The Park Social at the Cebu IT Park last Saturday, saying he’s only got around two to three years more in this physical sport.
But Nietes, who sports a 40-1-4 (win-loss-draw) record with 22 knockout wins, made sure he would be ready for life after boxing, investing in businesses back in his hometown in Murcia.
“I put up a business to prepare myself for life after boxing. This way, I can keep myself busy,” said Nietes, who became a world champion (WBO world minimumweight champion) in 2007.
Nietes has ventured into the trucking business and is also into selling rice and animal feeds. He also owns several houses in Cebu and in Murcia.
All these he achieved because of his successful stint in boxing.
He said he feels overjoyed for being a rare jewel in the Philippine boxing scene, comparing his successes to that of eight-division world champion
Manny Pacquiao and five-division world champion Nonito Donaire Jr.
Asked what his key to success is, Nietes said it’s “self discipline and patience.”
“You have to train hard and train the right way in each of your fights and always listen to your coaches,” Nietes said. “And I always keep my feet on the ground and look back to where I came from.”
Like fine wine
Though he is prepared for life after boxing, Nietes said that won’t come any time soon.
According to Nietes, he can still fight two to three years because he seems to feel younger as he gets older.
“Age is just a number. The more I train, the more I feel younger. I still have that killer instinct to fight as long as I follow my coaches’ training program the right way,” Nietes said.
In November, Nietes’ skills will be tested anew as he defends his IBF world flyweight title against mandatory challenger Juan Carlos Reveco (39-3-0, 19KOs), an Argentinian two-division world champion.
“He’s a dangerous opponent so there’s no room for complacency. I had to train as early as July because [I know] it’s going to be a tough fight. But I am confident that I can win in this fight.”
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